Question

When can a dielectric be strongly polarized?

Answer 1

A dielectric can be strongly polarized when it is exposed to an electric field. The degree of polarization depends on several factors:

1. Strength of the Electric Field: The stronger the applied electric field, the more the dielectric material can be polarized. This means the positive and negative charges in the dielectric will be more separated, leading to a stronger polarization.
   

1. Polarizability of the Material: Different materials have different abilities to polarize. Materials with high polarizability (like water, for example) can be polarized more strongly under the same electric field compared to materials with low polarizability (like rubber or wood).
   

1. Temperature: At higher temperatures, the molecules in the dielectric tend to move more, which can reduce the material’s ability to be polarized because the molecules are not as aligned with the electric field. In contrast, lower temperatures can lead to stronger polarization.
   

1. Frequency of the Electric Field: If the electric field is alternating (AC), the polarization may not be as strong at higher frequencies because the material may not have enough time to fully align its dipoles with the field before it changes direction.
   

So, a dielectric is strongly polarized when:

1. The applied electric field is strong.
   

1. The material is easily polarizable (like water or glass).
   

1. The temperature is relatively low (but not too low to freeze the material).
   

1. The applied electric field is of a low frequency (in the case of AC fields).
   

Does this help clarify things? Let me know if you want more details!