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

Question

In which of the following states is the potential energy of an electric dipole maximum ? (A)  (B)  (C)  (D)

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Potential Energy of a dipole =- pE cos θ= u u is maximum when cos θ is maximum. When θ=180° (unstable equilibrium position) u = pE ⇒ maximum Hence, u is maximum when angle between θ E is 180°.

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

Potential Energy of a dipole $= - pE cos θ = u$
$u$ is maximum when $cos θ$ is maximum.
When $θ = 18 0^{\circ}$ (unstable equilibrium position)
$u = pE$
$\Rightarrow$ maximum
Hence, $u$ is maximum when angle between $θ & E$ is $18 0^{\circ}$ .

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

Potential Energy of a dipole =−pEcosθ=u u is maximum when cosθ is maximum. When θ=180∘ (unstable equilibrium position) u=pE ⇒ maximum Hence, u is maximum when angle between θ&E is 180∘.

Potential Energy of a dipole $= - pE cos θ = u$
$u$ is maximum when $cos θ$ is maximum.
When $θ = 18 0^{\circ}$ (unstable equilibrium position)
$u = pE$
$\Rightarrow$ maximum
Hence, $u$ is maximum when angle between $θ & E$ is $18 0^{\circ}$ .