Question

How do you find the kinetic energy of a dipole in an electric field as it passes through the equilibrium orientation with the field? Also, how do you find the frequency of the oscillation around the equilibrium position for very small values of the initial angle?

Answer 1

the best way is using conservation of mechanical energy

Answer 2

ie change in potential energy = -(change in kinetic energy)

Answer 3

So mgh? But what would you use for the acceleration?

Answer 4

mgh gives the gravitational potential energy of a mass m at a height h, which is not what you want here, the problem is about an electric dipole oscillating in an electric field.