Q 2.9: Explain what would happen if, in the capacitor given in Exercise 2.8, a 3 mm thick mica sheet (of dielectric constant = 6) were inserted between the plates,

(a)while the voltage supply remained connected.

(b)after the supply was disconnected.

 

(a) Dielectric constant of the mica sheet, k = 6

If voltage supply remained connected, voltage between two plates will be

constant.

Supply voltage, V = 100 V

Initial capacitance, C = 1.771 × 10−11 F

New capacitance, C= kC = 6 × 1.771 × 10−11 F = 106 pF

New charge, q1 = C1V = 106 × 100 pC = 1.06 × 10–8 C

Potential across the plates remains 100 V.

(b) Dielectric constant, k = 6

Initial capacitance, C = 1.771 × 10−11 F

New capacitance, C1 = kC = 6 × 1.771 × 10−11 F = 106 pF

If supply voltage is removed, then there will be constant amount of charge

in the plates.

Charge = 1.771 × 10−9 C

Potential across the plates is given by,

V1=q/C1=1.771×109106×1012=16.7V