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  4. In which of the following states is the potential energy of an electric dipole maximum ?

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Q. In which of the following states is the potential energy of an electric dipole maximum ?

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Solution:

Potential Energy of a dipole $=- pE \cos \theta= u$
$u$ is maximum when $\cos \theta$ is maximum.
When $\theta=180^{\circ}$ (unstable equilibrium position)
$u = pE $
$\Rightarrow $ maximum
Hence, $u$ is maximum when angle between $\theta \,\&\, E$ is $180^{\circ}$.