Does Medium Polarization Decrease Electric Field Intensity?

In summary, when a point charge is placed in a medium, it polarizes the medium which leads to a reduction in the total electric field inside the medium. This is because the polarized medium produces a field that is opposite to the external field, resulting in a decrease in the overall electric field intensity. This relationship is explained by Coulomb's law, where a higher permittivity of the medium leads to a greater ability to get polarized, thus causing a decrease in the electric field intensity.
  • #1
girlzrule786
14
0
When a point charge is put in a medium, it polarizes the medium and thus reduces the total electric field inside the medium... I don't understand why does the electric field reduce when the medium gets polarized...

My question in other words is that, when we look at the coulomb's law, we see that the greater the permittivity is, the less will be the electric field intensity...the greater the permittivity of the medium, the greater is its ability to get polarized... So, why does polarization of the medium reduce the electric field intensity...?

PLEASE, I BADLY NEED YOUR HELP... THANKS
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The field produced by the polarized medium is opposite to the external field.
 

What is electrical permittivity?

Electrical permittivity is a physical constant that measures the ability of a material to store electric charge and to resist the formation of an electric field within it.

How is electrical permittivity measured?

Electrical permittivity is measured using a unit called Farads per meter (F/m). It is typically measured experimentally by applying an electric field to a material and measuring the resulting displacement of charges.

What factors affect electrical permittivity?

The factors that affect electrical permittivity include the type of material, temperature, and frequency of the electric field. In general, materials with a high number of free electrons or ions have a higher permittivity than materials with less free charge.

What is the relationship between electrical permittivity and dielectric constant?

Electrical permittivity and dielectric constant are closely related, but not the same thing. The dielectric constant is the ratio of the permittivity of a material to the permittivity of a vacuum. It is a unitless value that is used to compare the permittivity of different materials.

Why is electrical permittivity important?

Electrical permittivity is important in many areas of science and technology. It is used in the design of electrical circuits, in the study of materials, and in the development of electronic devices. It also plays a role in determining the behavior of electromagnetic waves and their interaction with matter.

Similar threads

How does permittivity in Coulomb's law work?
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
782
How Does Melting Affect the Polarizability and Dielectric Constant of a Medium?
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
1
Views
1K
Calculating E-field Through Layers w/ Diff. Permittivities & Conductivities
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
3
Views
718
Effect of electrical permittivity on the speed of light
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
880
Effect of electrical permittivity on the speed of light?
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Electric field of uniformly polarized cylinder
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
2K
Permittivity in Gauss' law and Ampere's law
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Question regarding the use of Electric flux and Field Lines
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
25
Views
1K
Electric field within the cavity of a hollow conductor polarized by external charges?
    • Electromagnetism
2
Replies
48
Views
3K
Maxwell's Equations, Dielectrics, Auxiliary Fields D and H
    • Electromagnetism
Replies
16
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top