Question

If the electric field strength is doubled while keeping the dipole orientation constant, how does the potential energy change?

Options

• The potential energy remains unchanged

• The potential energy becomes zero

• The potential energy doubles in magnitude

• The potential energy is halved

Answer 1

Since U = -pE cos θ, the potential energy is directly proportional to the electric field strength E. If E is doubled while p and θ remain constant, the magnitude of U doubles. For example, if U = -6 J at field strength E, then U = -12 J at field strength 2E.