Three parallel plate capacitors each with area A and separation d are filled with two dielectrics (k1 and k2) in the following fashion. Which of the following is true? (k1 > k2) [figure]
- CC > CB > CA
- CB > CC > CA
- CA > CC > CB
- CC > CA > CB
Answer
(3) CA > CC > CB
Solution
Let C0 = 0 Ad.
(A): upper layer (k1, full area, thickness d2): 2k1C0
lower layer (k1 and k2 side by side): k1C0 + k2C0 = (k1 + k2)C0
In series: CA = 2k1(k1 + k2)3k1 + k2C0
(B): similarly CB = 2k2(k1 + k2)k1 + 3k2C0
(C): each half is k1 and k2 in series: k1k2k1 + k2C0; two halves in parallel:
CC = 2k1k2k1 + k2C0
CA - CC = 2k12(k1 - k2)(3k1 + k2)(k1 + k2)C0 > 0
CC - CB = 2k22(k1 - k2)(k1 + k2)(k1 + 3k2)C0 > 0 ( k1 > k2)
CA > CC > CB
Answer: (3)