All Flashcards
Label the diagram of a parallel plate capacitor.
Plates, separation, voltage source
What is the effect of increasing the temperature of a conductor?
Generally, higher temperature leads to lower conductivity (more resistance).
What happens when a dielectric material is inserted between the plates of a capacitor?
The capacitance increases, and the voltage across the plates decreases if the charge is constant.
What happens if the voltage applied to a dielectric exceeds its breakdown voltage?
The insulator becomes a conductor, leading to a short circuit.
What is the effect of increasing the thickness of a dielectric material in a capacitor?
Thicker dielectric = lower capacitance.
What are the differences between a conductor and an insulator?
Conductor: Allows easy flow of electrons, low resistance. Insulator: Resists electron flow, high resistance.
How do conductors and dielectrics differ in terms of their electrical properties?
Conductors: Have free electrons. Dielectrics: Polarize to reduce electric fields.
What is the difference between a polar and a non-polar dielectric?
Polar dielectrics: Have permanent dipoles that align easily, increasing capacitance further. Non-polar dielectrics: Do not have permanent dipoles.