Potential EnergyHardQuestion 31458
Question
Potential energy of an electric dipole in a uniform field E at angle θ:
- ApE cosθ
- B−pE cosθCorrect
- CpE sinθ
- D−pE sinθ
Correct answer
−pE cosθ
Explanation
U = −p·E = −pE cosθ. Minimum energy (stable) at θ = 0 (aligned with field). Maximum (unstable) at θ = π.