1. Explain why a dielectric increases the maximum operating voltage of a capacit

Question

1. Explain why a dielectric increases the maximum operating voltage of a capacitor even through the physical size of the capacitor doesn’t change.

2. When charged particles are separated by an infinite distance, the electric potential energy of the pair is zero. When the particles are brought close, the electric potential energy of a pair with the same sign is positive, whereas the electric potential energy of a pair with opposite signs is negative. Explain.

3. Consider point A in figure located an arbitrary distance from the two point charges in otherwise empty space. (a) Is it possible for an electric field to exist at point A in empty space? (b) Does charge exist at this point? (c) Does a force exist at this point?

Explanation / Answer

1) Dielectrics allow more charge to be built up on the plates before the charges can "jump the distance" between plates. This allows capacitance to increase without changing A or D. 2) Same sign-the particles want to be as far away from each other as possible because they repel. Therefore it takes work to move them closer together. Opposite sign-the charges attract each other so they will naturally come together . 3) I obviously can't comment on the picture. But in general an electric field can exist in empty space.

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