An electric field can induce an electric dipole in a neutral atom or molecule by

Question

An electric field can induce an electric dipole in a neutral atom or molecule by pushing the positive and negative charges in opposite directions. The dipole moment of an induced dipole is directly proportional to the electric field. That is p=E, where  is called the polarizability of the molecule. A stronger field results in a more polarized molecule and causes a larger dipole moment p.
An ion with charge q is a distance r from a molecule with polarizability . Find an expression for the force of the ion on the induced dipole. Assume that the distance r is much larger than the charge separation within the dipole.
Express your answer in terms of the variables q, r,  and appropriate constants. Don't forget that since force is a vector your answer must include the direction of the force.

Explanation / Answer

Since the electric field is E = kq/r^2, where k is the electric field constant, the force on the charge is equal to kqa/r^2.

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