Final answer:
Placing a dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor increases its capacitance, due to the reduction of electric field strength inside the capacitor and the influence of the dielectric constant, which is greater than 1 for all dielectrics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a dielectric material is placed between the plates of a capacitor, the capacitance increases. This occurs because the dielectric material reduces the electric field strength between the plates, leading to a lower voltage (V = Ed) for the same amount of charge (Q). Since capacitance (C) is defined as C = Q/V, a smaller voltage leads to a greater capacitance. The dielectric constant (K) of the material further influences this increase, as K is greater than 1 for all dielectrics.
The capacitance of an empty capacitor is increased by a factor equal to the dielectric constant of the material inserted. Thus, if a capacitor has a dielectric with a higher dielectric constant, its capacity to store charge (and energy) increases. A practical implication is that capacitors can be made smaller yet store the same charge, or store more charge without increasing its size, simply by incorporating a suitable dielectric material.