Calculating capacitance of capacitor filled with 2 dielectrics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the capacitance of a capacitor filled with two different dielectrics. The initial approach involved integrating the elemental capacitors as a parallel combination, which led to an incorrect answer. A subsequent attempt to treat the elemental capacitors as being in series yielded the correct result. The user is seeking clarification on the mistake made in the initial parallel assumption. Assistance is requested to identify the flaw in the first method.
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Homework Statement



A capacitor is formed by 2 square metal plates of edge a and separated by distance d. Dielectrics of dielectrics constants K1 and K2 are filled in the gap as shown.

capacitor1.jpg


2. The attempt at a solution

This was my initial approach:

capacitor.jpg


I integrated the parallel combination of elemental capacitors dC1 and dC2, but I didnt get the correct answer.

Next, I tried taking the elemental capacitors in series instead of parallel:

Untitled.png


This time my answer turned out to be correct.:smile:

Can someone help me identify the flaw in my initial approach? I suspect I was wrong in assuming that the elemental capacitors were in parallel in the first place.

Opinions?
 
Last edited:
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Anyone ?
 
No one?:frown:

Please, can anyone help me out?
 

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