Solving Diagonal Dielectric Potential Difference

[BadaBadi]

Hi guys,

If you have a parallel plate capacitor and then u insert two insulaters in such a way that it is diagonal( as shown in the attachment) how would we find the potential difference and field inside the capacitor?

Attempt: I was thinking that the area would be the area of two triangles, so i treat them as two separate capacitors ( in series?) and maybe use the equation c=Eo*a/d to solve it. however as the distance changes becuase it is diagonal how would we solve it? Do i need to express it as a function of distance in order to solve it?

Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[jbsteele]

The potential difference and the electric field inside the capacitor can be calculated using the equation V=Q/C, where Q is the charge on the capacitor plates, and C is the capacitance. To calculate the capacitance, you need to use the equation C=εo*A/d, where A is the area of the plates, and d is the distance between them. Since the distance between the plates changes due to the diagonal shape, you will need to express it as a function of the distance in order to solve for the capacitance. Once you have the capacitance, you can plug it into the equation V=Q/C to solve for the potential difference. The electric field can then be calculated using the equation E=V/d.