As the dipole in Figure 25.3 continues to rotate, it reaches the point where its axis is aligned with the electric field of the massive object.

(a) What happens to the electric potential energy as the dipole moves beyond that point?

(b) Describe the motion of the dipole beyond that point.

(c) How would the motion of the dipole change if it were released with a different orientation from the one shown in Figure 25.3?

Transcribed Image Text:

Figure 25.3 Energy diagram for a system in which a dipole is released from rest near a positively charged stationary object. E +9-9 + E + + + + + + + + + AK AU AE, , AEth W