# Confused on this dielectric capacitance problem

1. Jun 24, 2004

### supermenscher

The electric field between the plates of a paper-separated (K=3.75) capacitor is 9.41E4 V/m. The plates are 1.75mm apart and the charge on each plate is 0.775E-6C. Determine the capacitance of the capacitor and the area of each plate?

I got the voltage by V=Ed. and that came out to 164.675

Where do i go from there because in order to get capacitance you need to know area, and finding the area of each plate is also a question in the problem. I thought about using C=Q/V, but that doesn't apply for dielectrics. Can someone helpme out?

2. Jun 24, 2004

### e(ho0n3

I think you should be able to use the fact that $E = \frac{Q}{\epsilon_0A}$. This gives you an equation for the area which you can use to determine the capacitance.

3. Jun 24, 2004

### supermenscher

I tried that and that did not work out either, do you have anymore suggestions?

4. Jun 24, 2004

### Staff: Mentor

Who says that C = Q/V doesn't apply for dielectrics? It's the definition of capacitance.