A slab of width d and dielectric constant K is inserted a distance 𝓍 into the space between the square parallel plates (of side ℓ) of a capacitor as shown in Fig. 24–32. Determine, as a function of 𝓍, the capacitance.
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26. Capacitors & Dielectrics
Capacitors & Capacitance
Problem 50b
Textbook Question
(II) Consider the circuit shown in Fig. 26–67, where all resistors have the same resistance R. At t = 0, with the capacitor C uncharged, the switch is closed. At t = ∞, the currents can be determined by analyzing a simpler, equivalent circuit. Identify this simpler circuit and implement it in finding the values of I1, I2 and I3 at t = ∞.


1
Step 1: At t = ∞, the capacitor becomes fully charged, and no current flows through the branch containing the capacitor. This is because the capacitor acts as an open circuit in steady-state DC conditions.
Step 2: Simplify the circuit by removing the branch with the capacitor. The remaining circuit consists of the battery ε, and three resistors R arranged in a combination of series and parallel.
Step 3: Analyze the simplified circuit. The resistor connected directly to the battery (R) is in series with the parallel combination of the other two resistors (R and R). Calculate the equivalent resistance of the parallel resistors using the formula:
Step 4: Once the equivalent resistance of the parallel combination is found, add it to the resistance of the series resistor to find the total resistance of the circuit. Use Ohm's Law () to calculate the total current supplied by the battery.
Step 5: Divide the total current into the branches of the parallel resistors using the current division rule. The currents I1, I2, and I3 can be determined based on the resistances and the simplified circuit configuration.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Kirchhoff's Laws
Kirchhoff's Laws consist of two fundamental principles for analyzing electrical circuits: Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) states that the total current entering a junction equals the total current leaving it, while Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) states that the sum of the electrical potential differences (voltage) around any closed circuit loop must equal zero. These laws are essential for determining current and voltage in complex circuits.
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Kirchhoff's Junction Rule
Capacitor Behavior in DC Circuits
In a direct current (DC) circuit, a capacitor initially allows current to flow as it charges, but once fully charged, it behaves like an open circuit, preventing further current flow. At t = ∞, the capacitor is fully charged, and the circuit can be simplified by removing the capacitor, allowing for easier analysis of the remaining resistive components and their currents.
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Capacitors in AC Circuits
Equivalent Resistance
Equivalent resistance is a single resistance value that can replace a combination of resistors in a circuit without changing the overall current or voltage. For resistors in series, the equivalent resistance is the sum of individual resistances, while for parallel resistors, the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances. This concept is crucial for simplifying circuits to find total current and voltage distributions.
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Find Equivalent Capacitance #1
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