Question

What happens when dielectric constant is high?

Answer 1

As the dielectric constant increases, the electric flux density increases, if all other factors remain unchanged. This enables objects of a given size, such as sets of metal plates, to hold their electric charge for long periods of time, and/or to hold large quantities of charge. Materials with high dielectric constants are useful in the manufacture of high-value capacitors.

A high dielectric constant, in and of itself, is not necessarily desirable. Generally, substances with high dielectric constants break down(a condition in which the dielectric suddenly begins to conduct current) more easily when subjected to intense electric fields, than do materials with low dielectric constants.