In: Physics
The parallel-plates in a capacitor, with a plate area 1.2×10−3 cm2 and an air-filled separation of 10 mm, are charged by a 12 V battery. They are then disconnected from the battery and pushed together (without discharge) to a separation of 3.5 mm.
(a) Find the initial potential difference between the plates and the initial stored energy. (6 points)
(b) Find the final potential difference between the plates and the final stored energy. (6 points)
(c) How much work is required to decrease the separation between the plates? Where does this work come from? Explain. (6 points)
(d) After the decrease in separation, a dielectric of dielectric constant K = 4.5 is added to the system. Find the new potential difference between the plates and the new stored energy. (6 points) (e) How much work is required to add the dielectric between the plates? Where does the work come from in this place? (6 points)