Calculate capacitance of a parallel plate but of made up of two media

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor filled with two media, consider it as two capacitors in series: one filled with mica and the other with air. The mica-filled section has an area of 5 cm² and a separation of 1 mm, while the air section has an area of 5 cm² and a separation of 2 mm. The capacitance can be calculated using the formula C = εA/d for each section, where ε is the permittivity of the medium, A is the area, and d is the distance between the plates. The total capacitance is then derived from the series combination of the two capacitances. The problem can be solved without needing the charge, focusing solely on the dielectric properties and geometry of the capacitor.
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Homework Statement


Calculate capacitance of a parallel plate but of made up o two media!?
The parallel plate capacitor in the figure below is quarter-filled with mica (εr=6). Its remaining ¾ part is filled with air. The total area of the capacitor is 10 cm2 and the distance separating the plates is 2mm. Find the capacitance of this capacitor.
This is the figure: http://postimg.org/image/p2hdvdvld/
Please show steps.
Even my teacher couldn't solve this question correctly, she says we need to have the charge.


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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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You can imagine the given situation like this: two capacitors with plate area 5 cm2 and having plates 1mm apart in series (one of which is filled with mica). Now these two are in parallel with cap. with area 5 cm2 and separation 2mm. You don't need to know charge. Just use the formula C= εA/d
 
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Now, with that wonderful hint, we expect BeeDee10 to post a response which indicates some progress towards solving the problem -- before anyone else offers any help.
 
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