Tutorial-1 (Dielectrics)
Q1. The dielectric constant of helium at 0o C and 1 atmosphere pressure is
1.000074. Find the dipole moment induced in helium atom when the gas is in an
electric field of intensity 100 V/m. the number of atoms per unit volume of helium
gas is 2.68 x 10-27.(Avagadro’s Number Na = 6 x 1023) (at NTP, I gram of a gas
occupies a volume of 22.4 Litres)
[ P = εo (εr – 1) E ; P = Np ;
εo (εr – 1) E = Np
p = εo (εr – 1) E / N
where N = Na/V = (6 x 1023) /(22.4 x 10-3 m3]
Ans = 24.45 x 10-40 C-m
Q2. If an ionic crystal is subjected to an electric field of 2000 V/m and the
resulting polarization is 6.4 x10-8 C/m2, then calculate the relative permittivity or
the dielectric constant of the crystal. (εo = 8.85 x 10-12 C2/N/m2)
P = εo (εr – 1) E
εr = (P / εo E) + 1 = ?
Ans = 4.616
Q3. If the permittivity of a dielectric material is 2.40 x 10-10 C2/N/m2, then
calculate its dielectric constant and electrical susceptibility (Given εo = 8.85 x 10-12
C2/N/m2)
εr = ε / εo = 27.12
𝜒 = εo (εr – 1)
Ans = 2.31 x 10-10 C2/N/m2
Q4. A medium of dielectric constant 8 and thickness 0.5 cm is placed between
the plates of a capacitor of area 100cm2. If the separation between the plates is
1 cm and the applied potential between the plates is 100 V, then find the value of
three vectors E, D and P, where the symbols have their usual meaning.
The electric field intensity between the plates of capacitor without the dielectric
medium Eo = Vo/d = 104 V/m
εr = Eo/E ; E = Eo / εr
E = 1.25 x 103 V/m
Displacement vector D = εo εr E = 8.85 x 10-8 C/m2
Polarization P within the dielectric P = εo (εr – 1) E = 7.744 x 10-8 C/m2
Tutorial-2
Q1. If the radius of hydrogen atom is 0.055 nm, then calculate the electronic
polarizability and the relative permittivity. Given the number of atoms in
hydrogen gas is 9.8 x 1026atoms/m3. (εo = 8.85 x 10-12 C2/N/m2)
αe = 4πεoR3 = 1.849 x 10-41 Fm2
αe = 4πεoR3 = εo(εr – 1)/N; P = NαeE = εo(εr – 1)E
εr = 1 + 4πNR3 = 1.002048
Q2. A dielectric material with density 4 x 1028 atoms/m3 exhibits an electronic
polarizability of 2 x 10-40 Fm2. Calculate the dielectric constant of the material.
P = NαeE = εo(εr – 1)E
αe = εo(εr – 1)/N
or Nαe / εo = (εr – 1)
εr = 1 + (Nαe / εo )
εr = 1.90395
Q3. The relative permittivity of argon at 0oC and one atmosphere pressure is
1.000435. Calculate its electronic polarizability. Given that N=2.7 x 1025 atoms/m3.
αe = εo(εr – 1)/N = 1.426 x 10-40 Fm2
Q4. Argon gas contains 2.7 x 1025atoms/m3 at 0oC and at one atmospheric
pressure. Find out the dielectric constant of argon at this temperature. It is given
that the diameter of argon atom is 0.384 nm.
εr = 1 + 4πNR3 = 1.01920
Q5. Calculate the induced dipole moment per unit volume , i.e. polarization of
helium gas if it is placed in a field of 6 x 105 V/m. the atomic polarizability of He is
0.18 x 10-40 Fm2 and the concentration of atoms is 2.6 x 1025 atoms/m3. Also
calculate the separation between the positive and negative charges in each atom.
P = NαeE = 2.81 x 10-10 C/m2; Dipole moment µ = αeE = qx : x = µ/q = µ/2e =
0.3375 x 10-17 m
P = Nµ =N (qx) ; q =Ze = 2e (Z = 2 for He)
X = P/Nq = 0.3375 x 10-17 m = 3.375 x 10-16 m
Q1. If the radius of hydrogen atom is 0.055 nm, then calculate the electronic
polarizability and the relative permittivity. Given the number of atoms in
hydrogen gas is 9.8 x 1026atoms/m3. (εo = 8.85 x 10-12 C2/N/m2)
αe = 4πεoR3 = 1.849 x 10-41 Fm2
αe = 4πεoR3 = εo(εr – 1)/N; P = NαeE = εo(εr – 1)E
εr = 1 + 4πNR3 = 1.002048
Q2. A dielectric material with density 4 x 1028 atoms/m3 exhibits an electronic
polarizability of 2 x 10-40 Fm2. Calculate the dielectric constant of the material.
P = NαeE = εo(εr – 1)E
αe = εo(εr – 1)/N
Nαe / εo = (εr – 1)
εr = 1 + (Nαe / εo ) = 1.90395
Q3. The relative permittivity of argon at 0oC and one atmosphere pressure is
1.000435. Calculate its electronic polarizability. Given that N=2.7 x 1025 atoms/m3.
αe = εo(εr – 1)/N Ans: 1.426 x 10-40 Fm2
Q4. Argon gas contains 2.7x1025atoms/m3 at 0oC and at one atmospheric
pressure. Find out the dielectric constant of argon at this temperature. It is given
that the diameter of argon atom is 0.384 nm.
Ans: 1.01920
Q5. Calculate the induced dipole moment per unit volume , i.e. polarization of
helium gas if it is placed in a field of 6 x 105 V/m. the atomic polarizability of He is
0.18 x 1040 Fm2 and the concentration of atoms is 2.6x1025 atoms/m3. Also
calculate the separation between the positive and negative charges in each atom.
P = NαeE = 2.8 x 10-10 C/m2
αe = 4πεox3
x3 = αe / 4πεo
x = 0.545 Å
Tutorial-3 (Dielectrics)
Q1. If the dielectric sample has its dielectric constant 4 and refractive index
1.5, then calculate the ratio of its electronic and ionic polarizabilities.
εr = 4 and n = 1.5
From the Clausius –Mosotti equation
At low frequencies ,
(εr – 1)/ (εr + 2) = Nα / 3εo ; where α = αe + αi (since αo is very small)
(εr – 1)/ (εr + 2) = N(αe + αi) / 3εo or ½ = N(αe + αi) / 3εo
At high frequencies using the Lorentz-Lorenz relation with εr = n2 and α = αe
(n2 – 1)/ (n2+ 2) = Nαe / 3εo or 1.25/4.25 = Nαe / 3εo
(αe + αi)/ αe =(1/2)x (4.25/1.25) = 1.7
1 + αi/ αe =1.7
αi/ αe =0.7
αe / αi = 1/ 0.7 = 1.43
Q2. A dielectric material has dielectric constant εr = 5 and the square of the
refractive index is n2 = 2.50. Calculate the ratio of electronic to ionic
polarizability αe / αi for this material. Ans αe / αi =1.397
Q3. When NH3 molecules are used as dielectric material, then its total
polarizability varies from 2.5 x 10-39 Fm2 to 1.75 x 10-39 Fm2, when its temperature
changes from 300 K to 600 K. calculate the deformation polarizability and the
orientational polarizability.
Total polarizability is given by Langevin Debye Equation
α = αd + αo ; where αd is the deformation polarizability and αo is the
orientational polarizability
Since αo = µ2/3kBT = b/T ; where b is constant for a particular dielectric
material.
At a temperature of 300 K
α300 = αd + αo = αd + b/300 = 2.5 x 10-39
α300 = αd + b/300 = 2.5 x 10-39 (1)
α300 = αd + 4.5 x 10-37/300 = αd + 1.5 x 10-39 = 2.5 x 10-39
α300 = αd + 4.5 x 10-39/3 = αd + 1.5 x 10-39 = 2.5 x 10-39
αd = 2.5 x 10-39 - 1.5 x 10-39 = 1.0 x 10-39 Fm2
At a temperature of 600 K
α600 = αd + αo = αd + b/600 = 1.75 x 10-39
α600 = αd + b/600 = 1.75 x 10-39 (2)
Solving equations (1) and (2)
b = 4.5 x 10-37 Fm2
αd = 1.0 x 10-39 Fm2
(αo) 300 K = b/T = 4.5 x 10-37/ 300 = 1.5 x 10-39 Fm2
(αo) 600 K = b/T = 4.5 x 10-37/ 600 = 0.75 x 10-39 Fm2
Q4. A solid dielectric material has 4 x 1028 atoms per unit volume. If it shows an
electronic polarizability of 1.5 x 10-40 Fm2, then calculate the dielectric constant of
the material.
Tutorial-3 (Dielectrics)
Q1. If the dielectric sample has its dielectric constant 4 and refractive index
1.5, then calculate the ratio of its electronic and ionic polarizabilities.
εr = 4 and n = 1.5
From the Clausius –Mosotti equation
At low frequencies ,
(εr – 1)/ (εr + 2) = Nα / 3εo ; where α = αe + αi (since αo is very small)
At high frequencies using the Lorentz-Lorenz relation with εr = n2 and α = αe
Q2. A dielectric material has dielectric constant εr = 5 and the square of the
refractive index is n2 = 2.50. Calculate the ratio of electronic to ionic
polarizability αe / αi for this material. Ans αe / αi =1.397
Q3. When NH3 molecules are used as dielectric material, then its total
polarizability varies from 2.5 x 10-39 Fm2 to 1.75 x 10-39 Fm2, when its temperature
changes from 300 K to 600 K. calculate the deformation polarizability and the
orientational polarizability.
Total polarizability is given by Langevin Debye Equation
α = αd + αo ; where αd is the deformation polarizability and αo is the
orientational polarizability
Since αo = µ2/3kBT = b/T ; where b is constant for a particular dielectric
material.
Tutorial-4
Q4. A parallel plate capacitor has an area 20cm2 and separation between the
plates 0.2 mm. The space between the plates is filled with a dielectric having the
real part of the dielectric constant εr’ = 2.5 when subjected to an alternating
voltage of 2 Volts at 1 MHz. The loss tangent at this frequency is 4 x10-4.
Find the elements of an equivalent (i) parallel R-C circuit and (ii) series R-C circuit.
εr’ = 2.5
ω = 2πν = 2π x 106 Hz
and tan δ = εr’’/ εr’ = 4 x10-4
εr’’ = εr’ tanδ = 4 x10-4 x 2.5 = 10-3
For a parallel RC circuit
Rp = d/( ω εo εr’’A) = 1.8 x 106 Ω
Cp = (A εo εr) /d = 221.4 x 10-12 f = 221.4 µµf
For a series RC circuit
RS = 1/( ω2Cp2Rp) = 0.287 Ω
CS = 1/ ω (RpRs)1/2 = 221.4 x 10-12 f = 221.4 µµf
Q5. The variations of dielectric constant of methyl amine CH5N, as a function of
temperature are plotted in the figure. Calculate the permanent dipole moment
and the polarizability of molecules. Number of molecules/m3 may be assumed to
be 2.5 x 1025.
0.003
(εr – 1) Slope = 0.6 K -1
0.001
0.0008
0 0.001 0.002 0.003
1/T [K-1]
P = εo (εr – 1) E = N(αe + αi) E
εo (εr – 1) = N(αe + αi)
(αe + αi) = εo (εr – 1) / N = 2.84 x 10-40 Fm2
Dipolar polarizability = µo2/3kBT
P = εo (εr – 1) E = NαoE
εo (εr – 1) = Nαo
2
εo (εr – 1) = N µo /3kBT
T (εr – 1) = N µo2/3kB εo
2
(εr – 1) / (1/ T) = N µo /3kB εo
Slope = N µo2/3kB εo
µo2 = (3 x slope x kB x εo )/N (kB = 1.38 x 10-23 J/K in SI)
(εo = 8.85 x 10-12 F/m)
µo2 = 8.8 x 10-60 C-m
µo = 2.97 x 10-30 C-m
Q6. Calculate the individual dipole moment of a molecule of carbon
tetrachloride with the following data. Also find the average electron
displacement
Relative permittivity εr = 2.24
Density ρ = 1.6 x 103 kg/m3
Molecular weight M = 156
Applied electric field = 107 Volt/meter
Avogadro Number NA = 6.02 x 1023
No. of Molecules per unit volume = N = NA x ρ/M = (6.02 x 1026 x 1.6 x 103)/ 156 =
6.17 x 1027 molecules/m3
Polarization P = εo (εr – 1) E = N µo
µo = P/N = εo (εr – 1) E / N = 1.77 x 10-32 C-m
µo = Ze(x)
x = µo / Ze = 1.5 x 10-15 m (Z = 74, e = 1.6 x 10-19 C)
Q. An atom of oxygen on being polarized produces a dipole moment of
0.5 x 10-22 C-m. If the distance of the centre of the negative charge cloud from the
nucleus be 4 x 10-17 m, calculate the polarizability of the oxygen atom.
In equilibrium both the Lorentz force and the coulomb interaction will be equal
ZeE = (Ze)(Ze)/ 4πεod2 (Z = 8 for oxygen)
E = 8e/ 4πεod2 = 2.6 x 1024 Volt/meter
Dipole moment µ = α E
Polarizability α = µ / E = 1.9 x 10-45 Fm2
