Electrostatic Potential & Capacitance
Class 12 · Electrostatic Potential & Capacitance
Potential of Dipole
V = (kp cosθ)/r². Zero on equatorial plane, max on axis.
Key Notes
01
Potential due to a short dipole at distance r and angle θ from axis: V = kp cosθ / r².
02
On the axis (θ=0): V = kp/r² (positive on +q side).
03
On the equator (θ=90°): V = 0.
Formulas
Dipole V
Falls as 1/r² (faster than 1/r of point charge).
Important Points
V is asymmetric: positive on the +q side, negative on −q side, zero on equator.
From V you can derive E by taking gradient — recovers the 2kp/r³ axial result.
Potential of Dipole notes from sciphylab (also known as SciPhy, SciPhy Lab, SciPhy Labs, Physics Lab). Class 12 physics revision for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, NEET UG, AP Physics 1/2/C, SAT, and CUET-UG.