You need to insert a metal slab between the two plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. The plates are a distance d apart, and a

battery maintains a constant potential difference V batt between them. In order to avoid dielectric breakdown, the electric

field in any region cannot exceed 4Vbatt/d.

Part A

What is the maximum thickness of the metal slab that can be used without causing dielectric breakdown?

3/4d

3d

4d

1/4d

Part B

If this maximum thickness is used, does the insertion of the metal slab affect the amount of charge stored on the

capacitor?

ANSWER:

yes

no