ε0 εL

24.77: a)  C0  (( L  x ) L  xKL)  0 ( L  ( K  1) x ).

D D
1 ε L
 b)  U  (C )V 2 where C  C0  0 (dx  dxK )
2 D
1  ε L dx  ( K  1) ε0V 2 L
 U   0 ( K  1) V 2  dx.
2 D  2D
c) If the charge is kept constant on the plates, then:
ε LV 1 1 C 
 Q  0 ( L  ( K  1) x), and U  CV 2  C0V 2  
D 2 2  C0 
C V2  εL  ( K  1)ε0V 2 L
 U  0 1  0 ( K  1)dx   U  U  U 0   dx.
2  DC0  2D
( K  1) ε 0V 2 L
 d) Since dU   Fdx   2D
dx, then the force is in the opposite direction to
the motion dx, meaning that the slab feels a force pushing it out.