Learning Path
Question & Answer1
Understand Question2
Review Options3
Learn Explanation4
Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
A capacitor with air between its plates allows maximum charge flow without any obstruction.
B
Inserting a glass dielectric between the plates of a capacitor increases capacitance and reduces the electric field strength.
C
A capacitor with a metal plate inserted between its plates shows no change in capacitance or electric field.
D
Removing a dielectric from a charged capacitor results in an instant increase in charge stored.
Understanding the Answer
Let's break down why this is correct
Answer
When a dielectric is placed between the plates of a charged capacitor, the material’s molecules align with the field, which reduces the net electric field inside the capacitor. This alignment creates an opposing field that partially cancels the original one, so the capacitor can hold more charge for the same voltage. Because the field is weaker, the rate at which charge flows onto the plates when connected to a battery is lower, but the total stored charge actually increases. For example, if a plastic sheet is inserted into a 10‑µF capacitor, its capacitance might rise to 12 µF, and the voltage across it stays the same while the stored charge grows from 1 µC to 1. 2 µC.
Detailed Explanation
Adding a glass piece between the plates lets tiny dipole molecules inside the glass line up with the electric field. Other options are incorrect because Air does not create dipoles that cancel the field; it behaves like a vacuum; Inserting a metal plate would short the plates together, making the capacitor useless.
Key Concepts
Dielectric materials
Capacitance
Electric field strength
Topic
Electric Field Effects on Charge
Difficulty
easy level question
Cognitive Level
understand
Practice Similar Questions
Test your understanding with related questions
1
Question 1In a parallel plate capacitor filled with a dielectric material, if the dielectric constant of the material is doubled, how will this affect the capacitance and the electric field between the plates when the charge remains constant?
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Question 2When a dielectric material is placed in a uniform electric field, which of the following statements best describes the effect on the electric field strength inside the material?
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3
Question 3When an external electric field is applied to a dielectric material, which of the following best describes the resulting effect on the material's internal charge distribution?
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Question 4In a dielectric material subjected to an alternating electric field, what effect does a high dielectric constant have on dielectric loss?
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Question 5When comparing the dielectric response of materials under AC and DC electric fields, which of the following statements best describes the impact of dielectric loss on energy storage in capacitors?
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Question 6Dielectric materials in capacitors can be likened to a: B: fluid that alters flow in a pipe, A: filter that removes impurities from air, C: sponge that absorbs water, D: resistor that limits current flow. How do dielectric materials affect charge flow in capacitors?
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Question 7How does inserting a dielectric material into a capacitor affect the charge on its plates?
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8
Question 8When a dielectric material is inserted into a capacitor, what is the primary effect on the electric field within the capacitor?
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