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A derivation of the capacitance for a parallel plate capacitor is as follows:
[ assume uniform field, plate area is infinite in relation to the separation, the conductors are perfect conductors ]
So, V=Ed
where
V=voltage difference between plates
E= electric field (uniform)
d=separation distance
Also, apply Gauss' law to a surface that is a rectangular prism, with one plane passing through the conductive plate and another plane passing perpendicularly through the field E. Dotted lines: planes of Gaussian surface. Solid line: plate. Plus signs: positive charge.
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result of Gauss' law:
EA=q/[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o
q=EA[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o
dividing:
C=q/V
C=EA[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o / Ed
C=A[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o / d
Supposing a dielectric material is inserted. The insulator's molecules become somewhat polarized, and an induced negative charge appears next to the plate containing the positive charge (and vice versa).
The net result is the reduction in the electric field E. As a consequence, the voltage across the capacitor drops (for an isolated capacitor), and the capacitance (C') increases (from C=Q/V).
I am having difficulty reconciling this explanation with the above derivation for the capacitance.
As can be seen from the red equation, the strength of the electric field cancels out, and does not affect the capacitance! But, the capacitance is clearly different after the dielectric is inserted! What is going wrong?
I am thinking that maybe Gauss' law is no longer applicable, but I can't figure out if this is true/why.
[ assume uniform field, plate area is infinite in relation to the separation, the conductors are perfect conductors ]
So, V=Ed
where
V=voltage difference between plates
E= electric field (uniform)
d=separation distance
Also, apply Gauss' law to a surface that is a rectangular prism, with one plane passing through the conductive plate and another plane passing perpendicularly through the field E. Dotted lines: planes of Gaussian surface. Solid line: plate. Plus signs: positive charge.
--------------
+++++++++++
____________
--------------
result of Gauss' law:
EA=q/[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o
q=EA[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o
dividing:
C=q/V
C=EA[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o / Ed
C=A[tex]\epsilon[/tex]o / d
Supposing a dielectric material is inserted. The insulator's molecules become somewhat polarized, and an induced negative charge appears next to the plate containing the positive charge (and vice versa).
The net result is the reduction in the electric field E. As a consequence, the voltage across the capacitor drops (for an isolated capacitor), and the capacitance (C') increases (from C=Q/V).
I am having difficulty reconciling this explanation with the above derivation for the capacitance.
As can be seen from the red equation, the strength of the electric field cancels out, and does not affect the capacitance! But, the capacitance is clearly different after the dielectric is inserted! What is going wrong?
I am thinking that maybe Gauss' law is no longer applicable, but I can't figure out if this is true/why.