Do You Need the Dielectric Constant of Copper to Find Capacitance?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor with a copper slab inserted between the plates. The key parameters include a slab thickness of 1.85 mm, a plate area of 2.25 cm², and a plate separation of 5.00 mm. The dielectric constant of copper is not provided, leading to confusion about its necessity for solving the problem. Ultimately, the consensus is that the dielectric constant is not required to find the capacitance, as the copper slab can be treated as two capacitors in series, simplifying the calculation.

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  • Understanding of parallel-plate capacitor theory
  • Familiarity with Gauss' Law
  • Knowledge of capacitance formulas, specifically C = κε₀L
  • Basic integration techniques for electric field calculations
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  • Learn about the implications of inserting dielectric materials in capacitors
  • Research the dielectric constant of various materials, including copper
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in capacitor design or analysis, particularly in understanding the effects of materials on capacitance.

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Homework Statement


A slab of copper of thickness b = 1.85 mm is thrust into a parallel-plate capacitor of plate area A = 2.25 cm2 and plate separation d = 5.00 mm, as shown in the figure; the slab is exactly halfway between the plates.

What is the capacitance after the slab is introduced?

25-65.gif


Homework Equations


Q = CV
C = \kappa\epsilon_{0}L
Q=
\epsilon_{0}\oint\kappa\stackrel{\rightarrow}{E}\cdot\stackrel{\rightarrow}{dA}

The Attempt at a Solution


If I know E I can know V.
If I also know Q I can know C.
Q is given.
I find E0 and E1 with the help of Gauss' Law, from which I find E = Q / (epsilon*kappa*A), where A is the area of one surface of the capacitor.
I use E = dV to find V by integrating E, from which I get V = E0(d - b) + E1(b)

So I know V and Q, but I only know V in terms of kappa, which is not given in the problem. Furthermore, it (the dielectric constant of copper) is not given in my textbook. I know I can find it on the web, but that neither the problem nor the textbook (which is written by my university's physics department for use in the introductory physics classes here) provide it makes me pause and wonder if I'm taking the long route on this problem.

So do I HAVE to know the dielectric constant of copper for this problem, or is there a much simpler way to solve this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The copper plate of thickness b is equivalent two thin plate connected by a wire, and separated by b.
Either of this does not affect the equivalent capacitance.
Now what is the distance between the two plates of each capacitor?
How the two capacitors are connected?
 

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