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A parallel plate capacitor is constructed from two square conducting
plates of with an area of , separated by a distance of . An
insulating slab of thickness and a dielectric constant is
inserted so that it half-fills the space between the plates as shown.
Find:
- The capacitance of this arrangement;
- The electrostatic force on the dielectric slab when a the
capacitor carries a total charge (fixed) on the top plate and
on the bottom plate.
- For extra credit, would the direction of the force be the same if
a constant voltage were applied across the plates? Indicate
why if you try to answer this one.
Robert G. Brown
2003-02-09