Question

a parallel-plate capacitor connected to a battery is fully charged with the switch s closed, as shown in the circuit above. a slab of dielectric constant k > 1 is slowly inserted between the plates of the capacitor. question if the switch remains closed when the slab is inserted, what changes, if any, occur?

Answer 1

When a dielectric is inserted between the plates of a charged parallel-plate capacitor, the capacitance increases, the potential difference decreases, and the stored energy increases.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a dielectric with a dielectric constant greater than 1 is slowly inserted between the plates of a fully charged parallel-plate capacitor that is connected to a battery, the following changes occur:

1. The capacitance of the capacitor increases. The presence of the dielectric material increases the ability of the plates to store electric charge.
2. The potential difference across the plates decreases. The voltage drop across the dielectric material reduces the voltage across the plates.
3. The stored energy increases. The added dielectric material increases the energy stored in the electric field between the plates.