Classical Electrodynamics · Problem 4.11

Magnetostatics, Faraday's Law, Quasi-Static Fields — John David Jackson

Physics — E&M · clausius-mossotti-relation-experimental-test

Problem

The following data on the variation of dielectric constant with pressure are taken from the Smithsonian Physical Tables, 9th ed., p. 424: Air at 292 K [table — see PDF] Relative density of air as a function of pressure is given in AIP Handbook, [3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York (1972), p. 4-165]. Pentane (C

_5

_{12}

) at 303 K [table — see PDF] Test the Clausius--Mossotti relation between dielectric constants and density for air and pentane in the ranges tabulated. Does it hold exactly? Approximately? If approximately, discuss fractional variations in density and

\epsilon/\epsilon_0 - 1

. For pentane, compare the Clausius--Mossotti relation to the cruder relation,

\left(\epsilon/\epsilon_0 - 1\right) \propto

density.

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