# What Is The Difference Between These "Dielectric" Terms?

by FredericChopin
Tags: dielectric, difference, terms
 P: 34 Can someone please explain to me what the difference between these terms are? 1. Dielectric constant 2. Relative dielectric constant 3. Dielectric loss I came across them on this website: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/microwave.html#pen Also, I don't really know what "δ" and "εr'" on the website are meant to represent. All and any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
 P: 34 Also, does anyone know the derivation to the equation: $$\alpha = \frac{2 \pi }{ \lambda } \sqrt[]{ \frac{ \varepsilon_r \sqrt[]{1 + tan^{2} \delta } - 1}{2} }$$ , which is also on the website? Thank you.
 HW Helper P: 4,521 An ideal capacitor has no losses, a dielectric introduced between the plates just changes the total capacitance in proportion to the relative dielectric constant. An non-ideal dielectric also introduces a loss, which we represent by a resistance between the plates. So the real capacitor shows both capacitance and resistance; I think that leads to the angle you have there, δ.

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