The function of a dielectric in a capacitor is to (a) reduce the plate area of the capacitor. (b) to decrease the capacitance. (c) reduce the effective potential on plates. (d) increase the effective potential on plates.

Answer: (c). The dielectric gets polarised; its induced charges set up a field opposing the plate field. Net field drops to E₀/K, so for the same charge V = V₀/K falls and C = KC₀ rises. It does not change the plate area. So the answer is (c) reduce the effective potential on plates.

The function of a dielectric in a capacitor is to | MHT CET 2026 (15 Apr, Shift 1)

Q2MHT CET 2026 · 15 APR · SHIFT 1Easy

Dielectrics

The function of a dielectric in a capacitor is to

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Answer: (c)

The dielectric gets polarised; its induced charges set up a field opposing the plate field.
Net field drops to $\frac{E_0}{K}$ , so for the same charge $V = \frac{V_0}{K}$ falls and $C = KC_0$ rises.
It does not change the plate area.
So the answer is (c) reduce the effective potential on plates.

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