Computing forces on conductors in the presence of dielectric materials

This paper is intended to correct a mistaken assumption often made in the computation of the force on the plates of a simple dielectric filled capacitor. The mistake results in a false prediction of the force, which can be orders of magnitude in error. Students preparing for work in macro- or nanotechnology should be provided with a correct understanding of how electrostatic forces should be computed within dielectric materials, and how these forces affect bearing load. This particular example seems to be characteristically absent from undergraduate electromagnetic texts [1]–[3].