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AP Physics C: E&M
12.2 Magnetism and Moving Charges
12.1 Magnetic Fields
IntermediateMCQMathematicalConceptual20.7k
Four orientations of a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field.
Four orientations of a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field.
A small planar loop with magnetic dipole moment \(\vec{\mu}\) is placed in a uniform external magnetic field \(\vec{B}\). Four orientations of the dipole moment relative to the magnetic field are considered:

Orientation 1: \(\vec{\mu}\) is parallel to \(\vec{B}\) (\(\theta = 0^\circ\))
Orientation 2: \(\vec{\mu}\) is at an angle \(\theta = 120^\circ\) relative to \(\vec{B}\)
Orientation 3: \(\vec{\mu}\) is perpendicular to \(\vec{B}\) (\(\theta = 90^\circ\))
Orientation 4: \(\vec{\mu}\) is antiparallel to \(\vec{B}\) (\(\theta = 180^\circ\))

Which of the following correctly ranks the orientations based on the magnetic potential energy \(U\) of the dipole-field system, from least to greatest?

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