ResultsThe dielectric constant as determined by the method below is: 2.2. 2.2 is the capacitance of the wax capacitor (0.053 nF) divided by the capacitance of the air capacitor (0.024 nF). The test was made using a parallel plate capacitor where the plates were aluminum of dimensions .8mm x 101.6mm x 101.6mm. The spacing between the plates was 4mm. To calculate the dielectric constant two capacitors were made: one with paraffin wax for the dielectric, the other with air for the dielectric. The dimensions of the wax were 122mm x 122mm x 4mm. The air gap for the air capacitor was 4mm. The capacitance of each was measured using the capacitance measuring feature of a Fluke 187 True RMS Multimeter. The two measurements made are detailed in the pictures below.
Wax capacitor
Air capacitor
Construction
My two previous failed attempts at making a suitable capacitor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||