1 Answer
The **dielectric constant**, also called **relative permittivity** (denoted as \(\epsilon_r\)), is a measure of a material's ability to store electrical energy in an electric field, compared to the ability of a vacuum (or free space) to do the same.
In simple terms, it tells you how much a material can "permit" or "allow" an electric field to pass through it. A higher dielectric constant means the material can store more energy in the presence of an electric field.
For example:
- The dielectric constant of **vacuum** (or free space) is exactly **1**.
- The dielectric constant of **water** is around **80**, which means it can store much more electrical energy than vacuum.
- For **air**, the dielectric constant is close to **1** (just like vacuum).
The value of the dielectric constant depends on the material and its molecular structure. The higher the value, the better the material is at reducing the electric field inside it (which is useful in capacitors and other electrical applications).
In simple terms, it tells you how much a material can "permit" or "allow" an electric field to pass through it. A higher dielectric constant means the material can store more energy in the presence of an electric field.
For example:
- The dielectric constant of **vacuum** (or free space) is exactly **1**.
- The dielectric constant of **water** is around **80**, which means it can store much more electrical energy than vacuum.
- For **air**, the dielectric constant is close to **1** (just like vacuum).
The value of the dielectric constant depends on the material and its molecular structure. The higher the value, the better the material is at reducing the electric field inside it (which is useful in capacitors and other electrical applications).