Electric dipole's maximum angular velocity

superamazinPI

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Consider an electric dipole located in a region with an electric field of magnitude [tex]\vec{E}[/tex] pointing in the positive y direction. The positive and negative ends of the dipole have charges +q and -q, respectively, and the two charges are a distance D apart. The dipole has moment of inertia I about its center of mass. The dipole is released from angle [tex]\theta[/tex], and it is allowed to rotate freely.

What is [tex]\omega_{max}[/tex], the magnitude of the dipole's angular velocity when it is pointing along the y axis?

2. Relevant equations

dipole moment p= qd

[tex]\vec{\tau}[/tex]=[tex]\vec{p}[/tex]X[tex]\vec{E}[/tex]

U= -[tex]\vec{p}[/tex] [tex]\cdot[/tex][tex]\vec{E}[/tex]

3. The attempt at a solution

I attempted to use energy, but I am not sure how to do it correctly - does potential energy equal kinetic? is the potential energy the one described in the above equation?

mjsd

dipole in a E field gives torque, torque is a force and can then be related to moment of inertia and angular acceleration

clem

You can use your expression for U and (1/2)I\omega^2 for the KE.