Question

An empty capacitor is connected to a 12.0 V battery and charged up. The capacitor is then disconnected from the battery, and a slab of dielectric material (dielectric constant "k" = 2.8) is inserted between the plates. Find the amount by which the potential difference accross the plates changes. Specify whether the change is an increace or a decreace.

Answer 1

7.71 V

Step-by-step explanation:

When the charge remains constant, the potential difference decrease by the factor of the dielectric constant K

V new = V initial / K = 12 V / 2.8 = 4.29 V

ΔV ( change in potential) = V initial - V new ( after dielectric has been added) = 12 V - 4.29 V = 7.71 V

The potential difference decreases by 7.71 V