Answer to Question #123566 in Electricity and Magnetism for Eman Jehangiri

Question

Why dielectric constant effect electrostatic force, what is its significance?

Answer 1

When dielectric materials is placed between two charges, it polarizes the electric field between them ,thus effects the net electric field and since Columb's force is proportional to electric field ,hence it effects the force, moreover mathematically force between the charges is described by

$$F=\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_o\epsilon_r}\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$$

Where,$\epsilon_r$ is the dielectric constant of the dielectric medium.

Clearly,

$$F\propto\frac{1}{\epsilon_r}$$

Hence, the fact.