A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a power supply that

Question

A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a power supply that maintains a constant potential difference, V. A close-fitting slab of dielectric, with dielectric constant k, is then inserted and fills the previously empty space between the plates.

a) What was the energy stored on the capactior before the insertion of the dielectric?

b) What was the energy stored after the insertion of the dielectric?

c) Was the dielectric pulled into the space between the plates, or did it have to be pushed in? Explain.

Thank you!

Explanation / Answer

a) E before = 1/2*C*V^2 b) E after = 1/2*(C/k)*V^2 c) Since the energy is decreasing, therefore dielectric was pulled into the space between the plates.

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