Finding The Dielectric Constant?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the dielectric constant for different materials placed within parallel plate capacitor systems. Participants explore methods for calculating the dielectric constant and clarify concepts related to capacitance and electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes an equation for calculating the dielectric constant, k, based on capacitance and physical dimensions of the capacitor.
  • Another participant suggests a simpler method to find the dielectric constant using the ratio of electric fields and capacitances before and after inserting the dielectric.
  • A question is raised about whether the distance between the plates, d, remains constant when a dielectric is inserted, to which another participant confirms that d would remain constant while k changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the distance between the plates remains constant upon inserting the dielectric, while differing methods for calculating the dielectric constant are discussed without a consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the methods for calculating capacitance after inserting the dielectric, and there may be assumptions regarding the ideal behavior of the capacitor that are not explicitly stated.

sanitykey
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Hi, I'm currently an A2 student and was wondering is it possible to find dielectric values for different materials placed within parallel plate systems. I have an idea but i think doing this is more complicated than i expect. I found the equation:

k=Cd/epsilonzero*A

d = distance between the plates
A = surface area of one of the plates
epsilonzero = 8.854*10^-12 C^2/N*m^2
C = capacitance after the dielectric is placed between the parallel plate system

The only problem is i can't think of another way to calculate the new capacitance.

<EDIT> Changed the main text body of my thread because i noticed some of the things i wrote didn't make sense.
 
Last edited:
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:redface: *cough*

ok i found a much simpler way to find the dielectric constant for parallel plate systems...

K = Eoriginal/Edielectric
K = Cdielectric/Coriginal

Where E=V/d

Would "d" be a constant if i didn't move the parallel plates further apart or closer together even after inserting the dielectric constant?
 
sanitykey said:
Would "d" be a constant if i didn't move the parallel plates further apart or closer together even after inserting the dielectric constant?

Yes it would. Only k would change upon insertion of the dielectric.

Claude.
 
Thanks Claude that makes things clearer. :smile:
 

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