# Homework Help: Change in Capacitance when a very thin sheet of aluminium is placed in between pl

1. May 30, 2012

### aimiit

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

As shown in the figure, a very thin sheet of aluminium in placed in between the plates of the condenser. Then the capacity
(a) Will increase (b) Will decrease (c) Remains unchanged (d) May increase or decreas

2. Relevant equations

Dielectric strength of a metal.

3. The attempt at a solution

Since dielectric constant for a metal is infinty, and the formula for capacitance is :
εoA/ d - t + $\frac{t}{k}$
If k = infinity, and t/k = t/infinity = 0.

Then we will be left with εoA/ d - t

Since denominator is decreasing, the value of C should increase.

Therefore my answer is (a) Will increase.
But the correct answer is (d) May increase or decrease

#### Attached Files:

• ###### 1.png
File size:
260 bytes
Views:
152
2. May 30, 2012

### cupid.callin

Look it at like this, plates of capacitor are metallic (generally) and you also introduced a metallic plate,

So you can assume 2 sides of introduced plate as two individual plates connected with a wire. So you get 2 series capacitors ...

3. May 30, 2012

### aimiit

How would that help?

4. May 30, 2012

### cupid.callin

That way you can find net capacitance and then compare the new and prevoius capacitances.

PS: forgot to mention this before, you can assume plate area as A and distance as d
New plate are after inserting plate will be (?) and the distance between plates of 2 new formed capacitors will be (?)