Water has a greater dielectric constant than mica. Why?

Question

angelina · Answer

i think because water is a polar molecule whereas mica is not

anonymous · Answer

Yup it does..here's a table

anonymous · Answer

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/tables/diel.html

angelina · Answer

oh thanks

anonymous · Answer

Water, due to its polar nature, has a large dielectric constant. Therefore, water molecule has a very large electric dipole moment and is forced to rotate to respond to an alternate external electric field. Hence water as a liquid has a very large dielectric constant i.e. 80.
Mica on the other hand is less polar as water and hence has low dielectric constant.

angelina · Answer

thanks , can you explain me what is alternate external field