ECE3121 -- Tutorial 5

1. (Problem 6.32, Page 275) An air-filled parallel plate capacitor of length L ,

width a , and plate separation d has its plates maintained at constant
potential difference V0 .

If a dielectric slab of dielectric constant ε r is slid between the plates

and is withdrawn until only a length x remains between the plates as in
Figure above, show that the force tending to restore the slab to its
original position is
ε ( ε − 1) aV02
F= 0 r
2d
2. (Problem 6.44, Page 276) A spherical capacitor has an inner conductor of
radius a carrying charge Q is maintained at zero potential. If the outer
conductor contracts from a radius b to c under internal forces, prove
that the work performed by the electric field as a result of the
contraction is
Q 2 (b − c )
W=
8πε bc

3. (Problem 6.47, Page 277) A cylindrical capacitor with inner radius a and
outer radius b is filled with an inhomogeneous dielectric having
ε = ε 0 k / ρ , where k is a constant. Calculate the capacitance per unit
length of the capacitor.