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Question

Physics Question on Electrostatic potential

The increase in electrostatic potential energy of a dipole of moment p when it is taken from parallel to anti-parallel orientation in an electric field E is

A

2pE

B

3pE

C

5pE

D

6pE

Answer

2pE

Explanation

Solution

p = dipole moment
U = - pEcosθ\theta
U1=pEcos0U_{1} =-pEcos0^{\circ}
U2=pEcos180U_{2} =-pEcos180^{\circ}
ΔU=(U2U1)=pE+pE=2pE\Delta U =\left(U_{2}-U_{1}\right)=pE +pE=2 pE
Increase in potential energy ΔU=2pE\Delta U =2 pE