The potential energy stored in a system consisting of an electric dipole in a constant electric field is zero when the angle between the electric dipole moment and the electric field is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The potential energy stored in a system consisting of an electric dipole in a constant electric field is given by U = -pEcos(theta), where p is the magnitude of the electric dipole moment, E is the magnitude of the electric field, and theta is the angle between the electric dipole moment and the electric field. When the angle between the electric dipole moment and the electric field is 90 degrees, cos(theta) = 0, and thus the potential energy U = -pEcos(theta) = 0. Therefore, the potential energy stored in the system is zero when the angle between the electric dipole moment and the electric field is 90 degrees (Option B).

The Potential Energy Stored in a System Consisting of an Electric