Question

What is the final effect of the polarisation process on the resultant electric field inside the dielectric?

Options

• The resultant electric field inside the dielectric becomes greater than the applied external field

• The resultant electric field inside the dielectric becomes exactly zero

• The resultant electric field inside the dielectric becomes less than the applied external field

• The resultant electric field inside the dielectric becomes exactly equal to the applied external field

Answer 1

The induced surface charges create an internal field that opposes the external field. Since the opposing field only partially cancels the applied field in a dielectric, the resultant field inside becomes less than the applied external field, but not zero.