In relation to capacitors, what does increased permittivity of an insulator between plates lead to?

Increased permittivity of an insulator between the plates of a capacitor leads to increased capacitance. Capacitance is a measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge, and it is directly proportional to the permittivity of the insulating material used.

When the permittivity increases, it allows the capacitor to hold more electric charge for the same applied voltage. This is because the greater permittivity reduces the electric field strength within the capacitor for a given amount of charge. Consequently, a higher permittivity means that more electric field lines can be established within the capacitor for a given voltage, thus increasing its capacity to store charge.

Therefore, capacitors with materials that have higher permittivity can store more energy, which is expressed as increased capacitance. This fundamental principle is crucial in understanding how capacitors function in various electrical and electronic applications.