Question

Learning Goal:

Answer 1

Answer:

A. $U_0 = \dfrac{\epsilon_0 A V^2}{2d}$

B. $U_1 = \dfrac{\epsilon_0 A V^2}{6d}$

C. $U_2 = \dfrac{K\epsilon_0 A V^2}{2d}$

Explanation:

The capacitance of a capacitor is its ability to store charges. For parallel-plate capacitors, this ability depends the material between the plates, the common plate area and the plate separation. The relationship is

$C=\dfrac{\epsilon A}{d}$

$C$ is the capacitance, $A$ is the common plate area, $d$ is the plate separation and $\epsilon$ is the permittivity of the material between the plates.

For air or free space, $\epsilon$ is $\epsilon_0$ called the permittivity of free space. In general, $\epsilon=\epsilon_r \epsilon_0$ where $\epsilon_r$ is the relative permittivity or dielectric constant of the material between the plates. It is a factor that determines the strength of the material compared to air. In fact, for air or vacuum, $\epsilon_r=1$.

The energy stored in a capacitor is the average of the product of its charge and voltage.

$U = \dfrac{QV}{2}$

Its charge, $Q$, is related to its capacitance by $Q=CV$ (this is the electrical definition of capacitance, a ratio of the charge to its voltage; the previous formula is the geometric definition). Substituting this in the formula for $U$,

$U = \dfrac{CV^2}{2}$

A. Substituting for $C$ in $U$,

$U_0 = \dfrac{\epsilon_0 A V^2}{2d}$

B. When the distance is $3d$,

$U_1 = \dfrac{\epsilon_0 A V^2}{2\times3d}$

$U_1 = \dfrac{\epsilon_0 A V^2}{6d}$

C. When the distance is restored but with a dielectric material of dielectric constant, $K$, inserted, we have

$U_2 = \dfrac{K\epsilon_0 A V^2}{2d}$