B Why Is the Potential Energy of a Dipole Zero at 90 Degrees?

  • B
  • Thread starter Thread starter maf249
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Degrees Dipole
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion regarding the potential energy of a dipole in an electric field, specifically why it is considered zero at 90 degrees. It is explained that potential energy has an arbitrary reference point, and the book has chosen 0 degrees as this point. This choice allows the potential energy to range from negative to positive values. The key takeaway is that only changes in potential energy are significant, regardless of the chosen reference point. Understanding this concept clarifies the behavior of dipoles in electric fields.
maf249
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
I am a little confused as to why my book is saying that the potential energy of a dipole is 0 at 90 degrees relative to the electric field lines. When it has the stored energy to turn from 90deg to 0deg if no force is acting on it. Wouldn't it make sense to use 0deg as a reference point then?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Every potential energy has an arbitrary zero point. Your book chose 0 degrees so the PE will range from minus some value to plus the same value. Of course, you´re free to choose another reference. Only PE changes matter.
 
  • Like
Likes maf249
Thread 'Question about pressure of a liquid'

Thread 'Question about pressure of a liquid'

I am looking at pressure in liquids and I am testing my idea. The vertical tube is 100m, the contraption is filled with water. The vertical tube is very thin(maybe 1mm^2 cross section). The area of the base is ~100m^2. Will he top half be launched in the air if suddenly it cracked?- assuming its light enough. I want to test my idea that if I had a thin long ruber tube that I lifted up, then the pressure at "red lines" will be high and that the $force = pressure * area$ would be massive...
View full post »

Thread 'Why is the 3 body problem unsolvable? And what will happen if someone solves it?'

I feel it should be solvable we just need to find a perfect pattern, and there will be a general pattern since the forces acting are based on a single function, so..... you can't actually say it is unsolvable right? Cause imaging 3 bodies actually existed somwhere in this universe then nature isn't gonna wait till we predict it! And yea I have checked in many places that tiny changes cause large changes so it becomes chaos........ but still I just can't accept that it is impossible to solve...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Conceptually understanding change in potential energy with 0 net work
Replies
9
Views
2K
I What is the zero point for Potential Energy and how to find it from integral limits?
Replies
6
Views
1K
A Origin of Hertzian dipole radiation
Replies
21
Views
2K
Potential Energy of an Electric Dipole in a Uniform Field
Replies
11
Views
4K
Understanding work in translation and rotation of a magnetic dipole
Replies
1
Views
2K
Understanding the energy of a dipole in a uniform electric field
Replies
2
Views
2K
Why is the y-component of the electric field in a dipole cancelled out?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Work done on dipole and potential energy in uniform electric field
Replies
4
Views
3K
Why is a current ring approx a magnetic dipole from very far off?
Replies
7
Views
2K
I The far reaching ramifications of the work-energy theorem
Replies
31
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top