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PHY 102 Test Compilation PHY 102 16 Objective Question

Question

Two capacitors are identical except that one is filled with air and the other with oil. Both capacitors carry the same charge. The ratio of the electric fields Eair / Eoil is:
Options
A between 0 and 1
B 0
C 1
D between 1 and infinity
Correct Answer
Correct Answer

Option D is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

For a parallel plate capacitor, the capacitance C with a dielectric is C = kε0A/d, where k is the dielectric constant of the material. For air, kair ≈ 1. For oil, koil > 1.The electric field E in a capacitor is related to the charge Q, capacitance C, and plate separation d by E = V/d. Also, Q = CV, so V = Q/C. Thus, E = Q/(Cd).Since the capacitors are identical (same A, d) and carry the same charge Q:Eair = Q / (Cair * d) = Q / ((kairε0A) * d/d) = Q / (kairε0A)Eoil = Q / (Coil * d) = Q / ((koilε0A) * d/d) = Q / (koilε0A)The ratio Eair / Eoil = (Q / (kairε0A)) / (Q / (koilε0A)) = koil / kair.Since kair ≈ 1 and koil > 1 for oil, the ratio Eair / Eoil = koil, which will be greater than 1. Therefore, the ratio is between 1 and infinity.

Hint

Recall the relationship between electric field, charge, and dielectric constant (E = Q / (kεA)). Oil has a dielectric constant greater than air.

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