Physics - Capacitor Question with Solution | TestHub

When a dielectric material is placed in an external electric field ${\vec{E}}_0$, the molecules of the dielectric get polarized.

This polarization creates an induced electric field ${\vec{E}}_p$ inside the dielectric, which is directed opposite to the external electric field.

The net electric field inside the dielectric is given by $\vec{E}={\vec{E}}_0-{\vec{E}}_p$.

Since the induced field opposes the external field, the magnitude of the net electric field inside the dielectric is less than the magnitude of the external electric field.

Answer: less than the external electric field.