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  4. A dipole of electric dipole moment p is placed in a uniform electric field of strength E. If θ is the angle between positive directions of p and E, then the potential energy of the electric dipole is largest when θ is

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Q. A dipole of electric dipole moment $p$ is placed in a uniform electric field of strength $E$. If $\theta$ is the angle between positive directions of $p$ and $E$, then the potential energy of the electric dipole is largest when $\theta$ is

Electric Charges and Fields

Solution:

The potential energy of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is
$u=-\vec{p}.\vec{E}$
$u=-p\, E cos\, \theta$
For u to be maximum
$cos \theta=-1 \Rightarrow \theta=\pi$