A parallel-plate capacitor with air between its plates has capacitance C0. If a dielectric slab with dielectric constant kappa = 4.0 is inserted to completely fill the space between the plates, what is the new capacitance?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. 4.0 * C0

Capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is given by C = kappa epsilon_0 A / d. Introducing a dielectric material with dielectric constant kappa polarizes the medium, reducing the internal electric field and increasing the charge storage capacity by a factor of kappa: C = kappa C0 = 4.0 C0.

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