a. When the electric field between the plates is 75% of the dielectric strength and energy density of the stored energy is 2800 J/m3, what is the value of the dielectric constant k?

The value of the dielectric constant k = 1.8

Explanation:

If C= ε A/d and

Electrostatic energy W = 1/2CV^2

Substitutes C in the first formula into the energy formula.

W = 1/2 ε A/d × V^2

Let us remember that electric field strength E is the ratio of potential V to the distance d. Where V = Ed

Substitute V = Ed into the energy W.

W = 1/2 × ε A/d ×( Ed )^2

W = 1/2 × ε A/d × E^2 × d^2

d will cancel one of the ds

W = 1/2 × ε Ad × E^2

W/Ad = 1/2 × ε × E^2

W/V = 1/2 × ε E^2

Where Ad = volume V

E = dielectric strength

εo = permittivity of free space = 8.84 x 10^-12 F/m

W/V = 2800 J/m^3

Let first calculate the dielectric strength

2800 = 1/2 × 8.84×10^-12 × E^2

5600 = 8.84×10^-12E^2

E^2 = 5600/8.84×10^-12

E = sqrt( 6.3 × 10^14)

E = 25 × 10^7

75% of E = 18.9 × 10^6Jm

The permittivity of the material will be achieved by using the same formula

2800 = 1/2 × ε E^2

2800 = 0.5 × ε × (18.9×10^6)^2

2800 = ε × 1.78 × 10^14

ε = 2800/1.78×10^14

ε = 1.57 × 10^-11

Dielectric constant k = relative permittivity

Relative permittivity is the ratio of the permittivity of the material to the permittivity of the vacuum in a free space. That is

k = 1.57×10^-11/8.84×10^-12

k = 1.776

k = 1.8 approximately

Therefore, the value of the dielectric constant k is 1.8