An electric dipole has magnitude of its charge q and a dipole moment p. It is placed in a uniform electric field E. If its dipole moment is antiparallel to field, its potential energy is:
Options

Question

An electric dipole has magnitude of its charge q and a dipole moment p. It is placed in a uniform electric field E. If its dipole moment is antiparallel to field, its potential energy is:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Electrostatic potential energy is U = −pE cosθ. Step 2: For antiparallel alignment θ = 180°, so cosθ = −1. Step 3: U = +pE, which is maximum, corresponding to option D.