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 = αE, where α is called the polarizability of the molecule. A bigger field stretches the molecule farther and causes a larger dipole moment.
a. What are the units of α?
b. An ion with charge q is distance r from a molecule with polarizability α. Find an expression for the force F _{ion on dipole}.