Save
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
10.4 Dielectrics
Save
Share
Learn
Content
Leaderboard
Share
Learn
Cards (70)
Dielectrics increase capacitance by reducing the electric field between the
plates
What is the formula for the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor with a dielectric?
C
=
C =
C
=
κ
ϵ
0
A
d
\kappa \frac{\epsilon_{0} A}{d}
κ
d
ϵ
0
A
The dielectric constant represents the factor by which a material reduces the electric field compared to
vacuum
What does the dielectric constant represent?
Reduction of electric field
What happens to dielectric molecules when placed in an electric field?
They align and polarize
What is the primary difference between dielectrics and conductors in terms of electric charge flow?
Dielectrics cannot flow charges
Capacitance is inversely proportional to the
potential difference
between capacitor plates.
True
Which material has the highest dielectric constant?
Water
What is the role of polarization in dielectrics within capacitors?
Reduces electric field strength
What happens to dielectrics when placed in an electric field?
They become polarized
Capacitance is inversely proportional to potential difference for a constant
charge
.
True
Conductors can be polarized when placed in an electric field.
False
Steps in the polarization process of a dielectric in an electric field:
1️⃣ Dielectric molecules align with the electric field
2️⃣ An internal electric field is created
3️⃣ The overall electric field strength is reduced
The dielectric constant of vacuum is
1
The electric field strength in a dielectric is related to the vacuum field strength by the dielectric
constant
Dielectrics increase capacitance by reducing the electric
field
The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor with a dielectric is given by
C
=
C =
C
=
κ
ϵ
0
A
d
\kappa \frac{\epsilon_{0} A}{d}
κ
d
ϵ
0
A
, where
ϵ
0
\epsilon_{0}
ϵ
0
is the permittivity of free space
The electric field in a dielectric is always stronger than in vacuum.
False
Conductors reduce the electric field between capacitor plates.
False
The electric field in a dielectric is equal to the electric field in vacuum divided by the
dielectric constant
.
True
What is the formula for the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor with a dielectric?
C
=
C =
C
=
κ
ϵ
0
A
d
\kappa \frac{\epsilon_{0} A}{d}
κ
d
ϵ
0
A
Dielectrics increase capacitance by reducing the potential
difference
Steps in how dielectrics reduce the electric field in a capacitor
1️⃣ Dielectric is placed in the electric field
2️⃣ Molecules align to create an internal field
3️⃣ The internal field opposes the external field
4️⃣ The overall electric field strength is reduced
What does the variable \(E_0\) represent in the electric field formula?
Electric field in vacuum
Match the properties of dielectrics and conductors:
Dielectrics ↔️ Cannot flow freely
Conductors ↔️ Allow free flow of charges
What is the key difference between dielectrics and conductors in terms of electric charge flow?
Dielectrics cannot flow freely
What role do dielectrics play in preventing breakdown in capacitors?
Increase breakdown voltage
Match the variables with their units:
Area ↔️ m^2
Plate Separation ↔️ m
Dielectric Constant ↔️ Dimensionless
What are two effects of inserting a dielectric material between capacitor plates?
Increase capacitance, prevent breakdown
The dielectric material reduces the electric field and increases charge
storage
Match the material with its approximate dielectric constant:
Vacuum ↔️ 1
Air ↔️ 1.0006
Rubber ↔️ 3
Glass ↔️ 4-7
Water ↔️ 80
Higher dielectric constants indicate a greater ability to reduce the electric field compared to
vacuum
.
True
Polarization in dielectrics creates an internal electric field that opposes the external field.
True
Conductors can be polarized when placed in an electric field.
False
Dielectrics reduce the electric field strength by aligning their
molecules
Higher values of the dielectric constant indicate a greater ability to reduce the electric
field
When a dielectric material is placed between capacitor plates, its molecules become aligned with the applied electric
field
Inserting a dielectric material between capacitor plates reduces the risk of
breakdown
.
True
What is the key difference between dielectrics and conductors regarding electric charge flow?
Dielectrics do not allow free flow of charges
What does the dielectric constant of a material indicate?
Electric field reduction
See all 70 cards
See similar decks
10.4 Dielectrics
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
50 cards
10.4 Dielectrics
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
70 cards
10.4 Dielectrics
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
61 cards
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
1950 cards
10.3 Capacitors
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
65 cards
10.1 Electrostatics with Conductors
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
24 cards
Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
185 cards
10.2 Redistribution of Charge Between Conductors
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
26 cards
Unit 2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism, and Space Physics
CCEA GCSE Physics
920 cards
12.4 Ampère’s Law
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism
67 cards
AP Physics C: Mechanics
2382 cards
Unit 12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
274 cards
11.8 Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 11: Electric Circuits
58 cards
13.4 Maxwell’s Equations
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 13: Electromagnetic Induction
34 cards
11.4 Electric Power
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism > Unit 11: Electric Circuits
94 cards
Unit 2: Electricity
GCSE Physics
729 cards
2.4.1 Magnetic Fields
CCEA GCSE Physics > Unit 2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism, and Space Physics > 2.4 Magnetism and Electromagnetism
36 cards
P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields
OCR GCSE Physics > Topic P4: Magnetism and Magnetic Fields
87 cards
Unit 2: Electricity
AQA GCSE Physics
547 cards
Unit 13: Electromagnetic Induction
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
259 cards
7.1.1 Magnetic Fields
GCSE Physics > Unit 7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism > 7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces, and Fields
52 cards