Ask your own question, for FREE!
MIT 8.02 Electricity and Magnetism, Spring 2002 15 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

if acapacitor has dielectric then current floow to the dielectric

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Yes, electric current will up to the dielectric, but will not flow through an ideal dielectric (perfect insulator). However, there is a property called displacement current which is said to "flow through the dielectric". This property is useful for circuit analysis to describe the current that flows away from the negative terminal of the capacitor. In reality, the electron charge on the positive terminal induces current on the negative terminal through its electric field. So just to ensure the concept is clear, electric current does not flow across the dielectric, but an electric field induces current to flow away from the negative terminal. Regarding circuit theory, current displacement theory allows us to simplify a capacitor's behavior by stating that current flows through a capacitor. This assumption allows an engineer to design a circuit by using basic circuit theory instead of electromagnetic theory.

Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!
Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!