Question

What is the relationship between dielectric constant and electric susceptibility?

Answer 1

The dielectric constant (\( \varepsilon_r \)) and electric susceptibility (\( \chi_e \)) are related through a simple mathematical formula. Here's the relationship:

\[
\varepsilon_r = 1 + \chi_e
\]

Explanation:

1. Dielectric Constant (\( \varepsilon_r \)) is a measure of a material's ability to resist electric field penetration. It tells us how much the material can "polarize" in response to an applied electric field, which affects its ability to store electrical energy. It's also called the relative permittivity of the material.
   

1. Electric Susceptibility (\( \chi_e \)) is a measure of how easily a material becomes polarized when an electric field is applied to it. It indicates the degree to which the material's molecules align with the field.
   

In this relationship:

1. \( \varepsilon_r \) is the relative permittivity, which is the ratio of the permittivity of the material to the permittivity of free space (vacuum).
   

1. \( \chi_e \) is the electric susceptibility, which is a dimensionless quantity.
   

The equation shows that the dielectric constant is always greater than or equal to 1, as the electric susceptibility cannot be negative. When \( \chi_e = 0 \), the material is non-polarizable (like a vacuum), and \( \varepsilon_r = 1 \). As \( \chi_e \) increases, \( \varepsilon_r \) also increases, meaning the material can store more energy in an electric field.