When exposed to an electric field, a dielectric becomes polarized. The field created by physical polarization reduces the effect of the external field.
In a dielectric, the positive and negative charges are tightly bound, and when an electric field is applied, it creates a dipole by pulling the charges. When the dispersed charge is separated, an electric field occurs in opposition to the applied field, reducing the overall field in the dielectric.
The dielectric molecules are stretched or reoriented by the external field, producing a dipole moment. The overall result of these induced molecule dipole moments is the creation of an opposing field to the external field. Because of this, the electric field within the dielectric becomes polarized in the opposite direction.
The generalized equation for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is provided as , which stands for the absolute permittivity of the utilized dielectric material. The dielectric constant, , also referred to as the "permittivity of free space," has a value of Farads per meter.
When a dielectric is exposed to an electric field, it becomes polarized. The polarization-induced field reduces the impact of the external field. As a result, when a dielectric is exposed to an external electric field, it decreases the net electric field acting on the capacitor.