AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 10.4 A Describe How a Dielectric Inserted Between the Plates of a Capacitor Changes the Properties of the Capacitor Questions

Describe how inserting a dielectric between capacitor plates changes capacitance and affects charge, electric field, and potential difference.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2024
Course
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Exam points

  • explain dielectric polarization and use the dielectric constant to predict increased capacitance
  • predict field, voltage, capacitance, and energy changes for an isolated fixed-charge capacitor
  • predict charge, field, capacitance, and energy changes while a battery holds voltage constant
  • determine a dielectric constant from geometry and best-fit capacitance data, including error effects
  • derive effective capacitance or stored energy for partial or spatially varying dielectric material

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 10.4 A Describe How a Dielectric Inserted Between the Plates of a Capacitor Changes the Properties of the Capacitor Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

An isolated, air-filled, charged capacitor consists of two conducting, coaxial, cylindrical shells that each have length L. The inner shell has radius R1R_{1} and the outer shell has radius R2R_{2}, as shown in Figure 1, where R1<R2LR_{1}<R_{2} \ll L. The surface charge densities (amounts of charge per unit area) of the inner and outer shells are +σ1+\sigma_{1} and σ2-\sigma_{2}, respectively. The absolute values of the total charges on the shells are equal.

Figure 1

Figure 1

Note: Figures not drawn to scale.

A material of dielectric constant κ\kappa is inserted into the isolated, charged capacitor such that the material fills the region R1<r<R2R_{1}<r<R_{2}, as shown in Figure 3.

Cross-Sectional View

Cross-Sectional View

Derive an expression for the capacitance C of the capacitor with the material inserted in terms of L,R1,R2,κL, R_{1}, R_{2}, \kappa, and physical constants, as appropriate. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the reference information.

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