Current leakage between the charged plates of a capacitor

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of current leakage between charged plates of a capacitor, specifically using the formula $$I=\Delta Q/\Delta t$$. Participants analyze the implications of charge decay, leading to the conclusion that a negative sign is necessary in the differential equation $$\frac{dQ}{dt}=-\frac{Q}{\kappa\epsilon_0\rho}$$ to accurately represent the decrease in charge over time. The final expression for time, $$\Delta t=\kappa\epsilon_0\rho$$, is derived, confirming the importance of correct sign usage in capacitor leakage calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of capacitor theory and charge dynamics
  • Familiarity with differential equations and their applications
  • Knowledge of the constants involved: permittivity ($$\epsilon_0$$), resistivity ($$\rho$$), and dielectric constant ($$\kappa$$)
  • Proficiency in mathematical tools such as Desmos for visualizing equations
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  • Study the derivation of the capacitor discharge equation in detail
  • Learn about the impact of dielectric materials on capacitor performance
  • Explore advanced topics in electrostatics, including electric field calculations
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Electrical engineers, physics students, and anyone involved in capacitor design and analysis will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in current leakage phenomena and charge decay dynamics.

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Homework Statement
A charged plate capacitor is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant ##\kappa=2.50## and resistivity ##\rho=1.90\times10^{15}\,\Omega m##. It is first charged to ##Q=8.00\,\mu C##.
1) What is the magnitude of the leakage current in amps?
2) What is time interval (in hours) over which the charge on the capacitor will fall to ##1/e## of its initial value?
Relevant Equations
$$I=\frac{A\Delta V}{\ell\rho}$$$$C=\frac{\kappa\epsilon_0A}{\ell}$$
1)$$\frac{Q}{\Delta V}=\frac{\kappa\epsilon_0A}{\ell}\Leftrightarrow\Delta V=\frac{Q\ell}{\kappa\epsilon_0A}$$$$I=\frac{A\Delta V}{\ell\rho}=\frac{Q}{\kappa\epsilon_0\rho}$$
2) The charge is decreasing by ##\Delta Q##, so ##Q(t)=Q-\Delta Q##.$$I=\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}\Leftrightarrow\Delta Q=\frac{Q}{\kappa\epsilon_0\rho}\Delta t$$$$Q-\Delta Q=\frac{Q}{e}\Leftrightarrow\frac{Q}{\kappa\epsilon_0\rho}\Delta t=\frac{e-1}{e}Q\Leftrightarrow\Delta t=\left(\frac{e-1}{e}\right)\kappa\epsilon_0\rho$$
I divide by ##3600## to get the result in hours.

I am getting that 2) is wrong, though. I entered the values correctly. Here's the calculation as I have done it on desmos
Capture.PNG

Is ##I=\Delta Q/\Delta t## a wrong assumption in this case?
 
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I think you could try take the limit in $$\Delta Q = \frac{Q}{\kappa \rho \varepsilon }\Delta t$$, not only, i think we need a negative sign here, otherwise
$$\Delta Q$$
would end being positive.
 
LCSphysicist said:
I think you could try take the limit in $$\Delta Q = \frac{Q}{\kappa \rho \varepsilon }\Delta t$$
Hm$$\frac{dQ}{dt}=-\frac{Q}{\kappa\epsilon_0\rho}\Leftrightarrow-\kappa\epsilon_0\rho\frac{dQ}{Q}=dt\Leftrightarrow-\kappa\epsilon_0\rho\ln\left(\frac{Q'}{Q_0}\right)=\Delta t$$with ##Q'=Q_0/e##, I get ##\Delta t=\kappa\epsilon_0\rho##.
LCSphysicist said:
i think we need a negative sign here
yep, I added that in ##Q-\Delta Q##, but not in the first formula since the question asked for the magnitude.
This is it! Thank you. :)
 

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