# Dielectrics

I am really confused about the behaviour of electric field through dielectrics.

I have a question:

Let's suppose that I have two point charges, $q_1$ and $q_2$, separated by free space. Now the force of attraction between them is clearly obtained by coulombs law, ie:

$\large F = \dfrac{q_1 q_2}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^2}$

Now suppose that instead of free space, the whole system is in a dielectric, then again we clearly conclude to:

$\large F = \dfrac{q_1 q_2}{4\pi \epsilon_0 k r^2},$

where $k$ is the dielectric constant of the dielectric in which the system is contained.

Now suppose that the separation between the two point charges is partially free space and partially the dielectric s.t. none of the charges is contained in the dielectric, then:

• As I have seen in some books, they treat the distance d of dielectric as $d \sqrt {k}$ and then the equation they use is:

$\large F = \dfrac{q_1 q_2}{4\pi \epsilon_0(r - d + d \sqrt k)^2}$

I am a bit doubtful about this relation. As this would imply that a metal sheet would completely prevent the two particles from interacting with each other which is not the case.

• The second thing which i feel is that the reduction in electric field in a dielectric is basically due to an opposing field developed in the dielectric. And hence the answer to electric field at a point due to a charge would depend only on the medium in which it (the point) is present.

I feel that there is a grave error in my concepts.

Thanks and regards: Prabhpreet

Note by Prabhpreet Sodhi
3 years, 9 months ago

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Yes the metal sheet will prevent the two charges from interacting because as soon as you place the charges in the sheet the charges will neutralise by free electrons present in the sheet because there cannot be an electric field in the sheet in electrostatic condition (because if there is field then electrons will move and it will no longer be electrostatic condition, it will be electrodynamic condition)

- 3 years, 9 months ago

Saurav, suppose i have a positive charge placed inside a metal shell. Now the field lines from the charge enter the shell and leave it from the outer surface. Since elofs are emerging it means that e field due to that charge at a point outside the metal shell is some finite value.

- 3 years, 9 months ago

No, as soon as you place the positive charge inside, there is E field in the metal and as metal contains free electrons therefore there is force on electrons toward the +ve charge and as the electrons move from some part of shell to your placed +ve charge, so $e^-$ deficiency occurs at that part of shell which is infact +ve charge ($e^-$ deficiency = +ve charge)

The process continues till you finally get zero net field inside the shell so that $e^-$ don't move further

- 3 years, 8 months ago

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