A molecule has its dipole moment aligned with a 2.1 kN/C electric field.

Question

If it takes 3.3x10^-27 J to reverse the molecule's orientation,?

 

what is its dipole moment? 

Apparently doing 3.3x10^-27/2100 gives the wrong answer, but there is no other way to get the correct units C m. Please advise. :/

 

Answer 1

Given 

Electric field (E) = 2.1 kN/C

                     = 2.1x10³ N/C

Reverse molecule's orientation energy (U) is 3.3x10^-27

The energy in an electric dipole is ( p )  = - U / E 

                                                           =  - 3.3x10^-27 / 2.1x10³

                                               = - 1.57 x 10^-30 C-m

Dipole moment is - 1.57 x 10^-30 C-m