How can a dipole exist? How can the two charges stay stable at a finite distance? Thank you

1 Answer
Apr 25, 2018

For an electric dipole to exist an external electric field is required.

Explanation:

Two charges alone (one positive and one negative) will not be stable. This is because the charges will attract one another, so the distance between them will decrease over time.

If the charges are in an external electric field, then the dipole may be stable as there is the possibility of zero net force acting on each charge. The external field counteracts the forces of the charges on one another.