# Finding pressure on a dielectric between a capacitor

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1. Dec 4, 2015

### Titan97

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A parallel plate capacitor was lowered into water in a horizontal position, with water filling up the gap between the plates (gap d=1.0mm). Then, a constant voltage V=200volt is applied to the capacitor. Find the increment of pressure in the water between the gap.

2. Relevant equations
F=qE

3. The attempt at a solution

Let the slab represent water between the capacitor plates. On the left surface, the field due to the left plate is $\frac{\sigma}{2\epsilon_0}$ along negative x-axis and that due to the right plate is also $\frac{\sigma}{2\epsilon_0}$ along the same direction. Total field on one surface is $\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}$.
Same force acts in opposite direction on the surface on the right.
This tends to expand the dielectric.

Let induced charge density on water be $\sigma'$

Therefore, $$F=qE=\sigma'A\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}$$
And $$P=\sigma'\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}$$
But answer given is $$P=\frac{1}{2}\sigma'\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}$$

Where does the 1/2 come from?

2. Dec 7, 2015

### zabini

The contribution to the total electric field on the surface due to the plate dipped in water is reduced k times as a dielectric that is water is present in between.