an-electric-dipole-placed-in-a-uniform-external-electric-field-has-various-orien

Question

Alignments that offer zero torque when a dipole lies in an even external electric field are classified as stable and unstable. Identify the stable and unstable alignments. Hint: What is the effect of a slight rotation for an equilibrium alignment?

Accepted Answer

stable when p and E are in the same direction and unstable when p and E are in the opposite directions

Answer

unstable when p and E are in the same direction and stable when p and E are in the opposite directions

Answer

stable when p and E are in the same direction, stable when p and E are in the opposite directions, and unstable when p and E perpendicular

Answer

unstable when p and E are in the same direction, unstable when p and E are in the opposite directions, and stable when p and E perpendicular