Dipole facts for kids
A dipole is a science term that means "two poles." In physics, it describes something that has two opposite ends or parts.
There are two main types of dipoles:
- An electric dipole has a positive electric charge and a negative electric charge. These two charges are separated by a small space. Think of it like a tiny battery with a plus side and a minus side.
- A magnetic dipole is like a tiny magnet. It's often caused by electric current moving in a circle, like a loop of wire with electricity flowing through it.
Contents
Understanding Dipole Moment
An important part of understanding dipoles is their dipole moment. This is a special measurement that tells us how strong a dipole is and which way it points. It's a vector quantity, meaning it has both a size (how strong) and a direction.
Electric Dipole Moment
For an electric dipole, the dipole moment points from the negative charge towards the positive charge. The strength of this moment depends on two things:
- How strong each electric charge is.
- The distance between the positive and negative charges.
You can find its strength by multiplying the strength of one charge by the distance between them.
Magnetic Dipole Moment
For a magnetic dipole, like a loop of wire with current, the magnetic dipole moment points through the center of the loop. You can figure out its direction using the Right-hand rule. The strength of this moment is found by multiplying the electric current in the loop by the area of the loop.
A bar magnet is a good example of a magnetic dipole. Its magnetic dipole moment points from its south pole to its north pole.
Related pages
Images for kids
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This image shows how energy spreads out from an oscillating electric dipole. The two charges are shown as small black dots.
See also
In Spanish: Dipolo para niños
