Parallel plate capacitor with dielectric. Find capacitance

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SUMMARY

The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric slab can be calculated using the formula C = k * Co, where Co is the capacitance without the dielectric and k is the dielectric constant. In this discussion, the capacitor has plates measuring 15cm x 15cm and is separated by 6cm, with a dielectric slab of thickness 3cm and dielectric constant k = 2.5 inserted. The initial calculations for electric field and charge were performed, but the final capacitance value of 1.7 x 10^-11 µF was incorrect. The correct approach requires using the modified capacitance formula when the dielectric does not fully occupy the space between the plates.

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  • Familiarity with electric field and potential difference concepts
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations for capacitance calculations
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physics16102
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Homework Statement


The plates of a parallel plate capacitor measure 15cm x 15cm, and they are separated by 6cm. The capacitor is charged with a potential difference of 18V, then removed from the voltage source and kept isolated. A 15cm x 15cm x 3cm slab of dielectric material (k = 2.5) is inserted between the plates. What is the capacitance in µF after the dielectric is inserted?



Homework Equations


Vi=Ei*d (1)
E=(ke)Q/r^2 (2)
V=(Vi)/k (3)
C=Q/V (4)

The Attempt at a Solution


I used the formulas above in that order. I solved first for E(initial) using V(initial) and d=.06. I got E(i)=300
I then plugged E(i) it into eqn(2) to get Q. Q=1.2 x 10^-10
Next, I found V using eqn(3): 18V/2.5 to get V=7.2

Finally, I plugged Q and V into eqn 4 and got 1.7 x 10^-11

This doesn't match any of my multiple choice answers. Can someone help me figure out where I went wrong or give me a better plan of attack for this type of problem?
 
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What is the capacitance in µF after the dielectric is inserted?

Capacitance does not depend on the charge on the plate or PD across the plates. When you introduce dielectric slab, the capacitance increases.

C = k*Co where C is the capacitance with dielectric, Co is the capacitance without dielectric and k is th dielectric constant.
 
Does the size of the dielectric affect the answer?
C for parallel plates= (eps)A/d
I used that to get C(i) and then multiply by the dielectric coefficient, but I am still incorrect
 
physics16102 said:
Does the size of the dielectric affect the answer?
C for parallel plates= (eps)A/d
I used that to get C(i) and then multiply by the dielectric coefficient, but I am still incorrect
If the dielectric is completely occupies the space between the plates, then the C = Co*k applies. If the a part of the space is filled, them

C = εο*A /[(d-x) + x/k], where x is the thickness of the dielectric slab.
 

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