Effect of Dielectric in A Capacitor

Molecular theory of induced charge

A dielectric contains no free charges. The molecules of a dielectric may be classified as either
polar or nonpolar. A nonpolar molecule is one in which the positive nuclei and electrons
normally coincide, while a polar molecule is one in which they do not.
Under the influence of an electric field the charges of nonpolar molecules become displaced
relative to each other. The molecules are said to become polarized by the field and are called
induced dipoles. At that time the restoring forces come into play on the displaced charges. Under
the influence of a given external field, the charges separate until the restoring force is equal and
opposite to the force exerted on the charge by the field.

When a dielectric consists of polar molecules or permanent dipoles, the dipoles are oriented at
random when no electric field is present the forces on a dipole give rise to a torque whose effect
is to orient the dipole in same direction as the field.