What is the change in electric potential energy when the dipole moment of a molecule changes its orientation with respect to e⃗ from parallel to perpendicular?

Respuesta :

Electric potential energy of a dipole is given as

[tex]U = - P.E[/tex]

[tex]U = - PE cos\theta[/tex]

so change in the potential energy is given by

[tex]U_f - U_i = (-PEcos\theta_2)- (-PEcos\theta_1)[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U = PE (cos\theta_1 - cos\theta_2)[/tex]

here initially it was parallel to electric field while finally it is perpendicular to the electric field

so we have

[tex]\Delta U = PE(cos 0 - cos 90)[/tex]

[tex]\Delta U = PE[/tex]

so above is the change in potential energy of dipole