A dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, its potential energy will be minimum when the angle between…

A dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, its potential energy will be minimum when the angle between its axis and field is
  1. zero
  2. $\pi$
  3. $\frac{\pi}{2}$
  4. $2 \pi$

Solution

Potential energy of a electric dipole in electric field is given as $ U=-p B \cos \theta $ For minimum value $U, \cos \theta$ should be maximum as 1 . i.e., $\cos \theta=1=\cos \theta^{\circ} \Rightarrow \theta=0^{\circ}$

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2020 (22 Sep Shift 1)

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