Part two - general and theoretical chapter III molecular and ionic interactions in dielectrics

Two aspects of the general theory of dielectrics are in an unsatisfactory state, but for quite different reasons. Firstly, the internal field is still frequently abused because some authors do not understand their dielectric models, and the difference of treatment required for long- and short-range forces is not always recognized: on the other hand authors who very well understand the nature of their models might do well to avoid the use of the adjective “exact” for any particular expression, unless there is a qualifying clause which describes explicitly the model to which the expression applies. Secondly, the activation energy for dielectric relaxation has frequently been derived from a relatively straightforward relationship between the loss maximum and temperature; this relationship may not always be valid for the dielectric to which it is applied. For cases where it is not valid, its use involves an unjustifiable approximation, and there were again many examples of this type of offense during the current year.