Xe = [, - 1 (7)

45 POLARIZATION MECHANISMS IN DIELECTRICS

Dielectric polarisation occurs due to several microscopic
mechanisms. In electric field, the macroscopic polarisation vector
pis created by the following four microscopic polarisation
mechanisms.
(i) Electronic polarisation
(ii) lonic polarisation
(iii) Orientational polarisation
(iv) Space - charge polarisation
1.6 ELECTRONIC POLARISATION
Electronic polarisation is due to the displacement of
positively - charged nucleus and negatively - charged electrons
of an atom in opposite directions on the application of an
electrical field. This induces dipole moment in the dielectric.
 moment () 1s proportional to the electric fiel
Dipole
strength (E).
1.e., | « E

known as electronr
where , is proportionality constant and it is
polarisability.

Calculation of Electronic polarisability (a,)

(i) Without electric field
Consider an atom of a dielectric material of nuclear charge
+Ze at the centre (point change), where Z is the atomic number.
The electrons of charge ( Ze) are distributed uniformly throughout
the atom (sphere) of radius R as shown in fig. 1.4.

Electron cloud (-Ze)

Nucleus

R
+Ze

No field (E=0)

Fig. 1.4 Atom without any electric field

The centres of electron cloud and positive nucleus are at

the same point and hence there is no dipole
moment.

Negative charge density of atom is given by

p = Total negative charge -Ze
Volume of the atom 4
3

3 Ze
4 3
 1.5
Atom
Fig.electric arises
tends a the a the (2) and (3)
E
with is by
of negative
charge field of
there in nucleus
Centre which
force cloud separated
dipole
+Ze position.
cloud opposite, field
Coulomb electron
electrical between
dielectric
is
placed
two field) their thecloud
electron field
equilibrium are electrical x,
towards
electron distance
strength
E, the and and nucleus
electrical electron attractive
and
from (F,)
of equal
nucleus of
direction the formation xCharge a 2 T
4EX
nucleus moves andoriginal the E
=Ze
to atom the are forceatseparated
positions.
equilibrium an the and
the of (due nucleus
and fig.1.5. nucleus forces = =
F,
the oppositeseparation, in F, attractive
fieldof field that the between cloud
move
force direction results
atonm positive in two
themaintain Lorentz
force
between
electron
and
nucleus
electric shown electron being
electrical
occur to cloud
phenomena of
Lorentz
in betweenthese
equilibrium
the
tends Thefieldmoves After It Goulomb
cloud
as to When x.
WithWhen The distance
electron
an (a) (b)
new atom. atom.
(ii)
In
 Physics for Electrical Engineering
1.10
Total negative
charges enclosed
Nuclcar in the sphere
Charge (Ze) of radius x

4T E, X

Volume of the
Total negative
charges enclosed x radius x
= Charge density (p) sphere of
in the sphere
of radius x

3 Ze 4 by substituting p from
3 equation (1)
4 R
3
- Ze x
...(4)
R
of
Total positive charge of atom present in the sphere
radius x,

Q,=+Ze (being a point charge)

Substituting the equation (4) in (3), we have
3
-Zex
Ze

2
4 T E, X

2 2

i.e., Fc= ...(5)

4 ne, R
At equilibrium, Coulomb force and Lorentz force must be
equal and opposite.

i.e., F=-Pc
Substituting for F, and F, from equation (2) and (5), We
have
 1.11

ZeE =
4 nE R' 4 TE R

E = Zex
4 nE R

or
4 nE, RE
... (6)
Ze
Due to the application of
electrical field on the atom, the
charge centres are displaced from their
bonce the atom gains Some dipole equilibrium position and
moment.
From the definition of dipole
moment (Hina 1s given by
moment, induced dipole
Hind = Magnitude of charge x Displacement
i.e., nd =Zex
: (7)

Substituting equation (6) in (7), we have

4 E, R°E
Hind Ze.
Ze

Hind =4 TE, RE ...

(8)

But, the induced dipole moment

in terms of polarisability is given by,

Hind = , E . . (9)

where a is called as electronic polarisability.

On comparing the equations (8) and (9), we have
...(10)
a, =4 ne, R'
1.12 Physics for Electrical Engineering

Conclusion
(i) Electronic polarisability is independent of temperature.
(Refer equation (10), there is no term representing
temperature)
(ii) It is proportional to the volume of atoms in the
material (a, « R°).
(iüi) Electronic polarisation takes place in all dielectrics.

1.7 IONIC POLARISATION

Ionic polarisation is due to the displacement of cations
positive ions) and