Permittivity

      From the relation derived in previous article,we can say that electric flux density depends on electric field strength. Now the value of electric flux density depends on the value of electric field strength E along with the dielectric property of the medium which is known as permittivity.

Note : Permittivity can be defined as the ease with which a dielectric medium permits an electric flux to be established in it.

1.1Absolute Permittivity

      The ratio of the electric flux density D to electric field strength E at any point is defined as the absolute permittivity.

      It is denoted by ε and measured in units farads/metre, (F/m).

1.2 Permittivity and Free Space

      It is also called as electric space constant.

Note: The ratio of the electric flux density in a vacuum (or free space) to the corresponding electric field is defined as permittivity of the free space.

     It is denoted by ε₀ and measured in unit farads/m (F/m).

     The value of ε_r is less than the value of permittivity of any medium. Experimentally, its value has been derived as,

1.3 Relative Permittivity

      To define the permittivity of the dielectric medium, the vacuum or free space is considered to be a reference medium. So, relative permittivity of vacuum with respect to itself is unity.

      The ratio of electric flux density in a dielectric medium to that produced in a vacuum by the same electric field strength under identical conditions is called relative permittivity.

      It is denoted by ε_r and has no units.

      It can also be defined as the ratio of the absolute permittivity of the dielectric medium to the permittivity of the free space. The relative permittivity of the air is also taken as unity, though its actual value is 1.006. most of the other materials have value of relative permittivity between 1 to 10.

       The relative permittivity of air is assumed to be one for all practical purposes.

Note: higher the value of , easier is the flow of electric flux through the materials.

      In practice, paper and mica are extensively used for manufacturing of capacitors.

Note: The relative permittivity is nothing but the dielectric constant of the material.