1 Answer
Yes, relative permittivity and dielectric constant essentially refer to the same concept, but they are used in slightly different contexts.
\[
\epsilon_r = \frac{\epsilon}{\epsilon_0}
\]
where:
- \( \epsilon \) is the permittivity of the material.
- \( \epsilon_0 \) is the permittivity of free space.
In short:
Both describe how well a material can store electrical energy in an electric field.
- Relative Permittivity (εr): This is a measure of how much a material can "permit" electric field lines to pass through it compared to the permittivity of free space (vacuum). It's a ratio of the material's permittivity (ε) to the permittivity of free space (ε₀). It tells you how easily the material can be polarized when an electric field is applied.
\[
\epsilon_r = \frac{\epsilon}{\epsilon_0}
\]
where:
- \( \epsilon \) is the permittivity of the material.
- \( \epsilon_0 \) is the permittivity of free space.
- Dielectric Constant: This is another name for relative permittivity, especially in everyday usage. When people talk about the dielectric constant of a material, they're typically referring to its relative permittivity. It's a dimensionless number that describes how much the material reduces the electric field compared to a vacuum.
In short:
- Relative Permittivity is the more scientific term, used in equations and technical contexts.
- Dielectric Constant is commonly used in less formal contexts but means the same thing as relative permittivity.
Both describe how well a material can store electrical energy in an electric field.