The discussion revolves around a capacitor with a movable dielectric and the forces involved in its movement when a voltage is applied. Participants explore the nature of the forces acting on the dielectric as it is drawn into the capacitor.
Some participants have offered insights regarding the alignment of molecules in the dielectric and the influence of the electric field. There is an ongoing exploration of whether fringing effects contribute to the force experienced by the dielectric.
Participants are discussing the effects of electric fields on polar molecules within the dielectric and the implications of these effects on the movement of the dielectric into the capacitor. The conversation includes references to external resources for further clarification.
The dielectric contains polar molecules, that is molecules which have a + and a - side. So they align with the electric field (e.g. + side of molecule toward - plate). This means the dielectric experiences a force toward the plates. The force depends on the number and degree of polarity of the molecules in the dielectric, which determines the k of the permitivity.davidY said:suppose you had a capacator and a free to move dialetric, which was outside of it, and you attatch a voltage to the capacator. the dialetric will move in. however, does anybody know what force and where the force is that causes the dialetric to move in?
No. The molecules in the dielectric are affected by the entire field of the plate. Have a look at this, for example:davidY said:thanks. by the way, would it be the fringing effects of the electric fields that cause the fnorce? (as the non fringing electric field would be pointing in the direction of one plate to another)