Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge / 2021 / Paper 1 / Section C / C8 / d / Solution

Let increasing overlap $x$ mean that the dielectric moves farther into the capacitor. Its capacitance derivative isAt fixed electric potential difference $V$, the capacitor energy rises by $d{U}_{\mathrm{field}}=V^{2}dC/2$, but the voltage source supplies electrical work $VdQ=V^{2}dC$. The difference is available as mechanical work $F_{x}dx$:The dielectric insertion force at fixed voltage is thereforeFor the usual $ϵ>1$, it pulls the dielectric inward, increasing $x$; its magnitude is constant within the long-overlap approximation. In the original longitudinal diagram this is to the left. The units are newtons, since $V^{2}dC/dx$ is energy per length. Differentiating the field energy alone with a minus sign at fixed $V$ would miss the source contribution; the correct fixed-voltage capacitor energy balance is essential.