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In a given electric field ,an H2O molecule experiences no net force : but a torque. what is the nature of the electric field?

A dipole does not experience a force in a uniform electric field. However, it experiences a torque in such a field. In an inhomogeneous field, the dipole experiences a force.

  • The response of an electric dipole in an electric field is different from a charge in an electric field.
  •  Since a dipole has no net charge, so the net force acting on it must be zero.
  •  However, each charge in the dipole does experience forces from the field.
  •  The forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, and so there is net torque
            


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