A parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a battery and becomes fully charged. The capacitor is then disconnected, and the separation between the plates is increased in such a way that no charge leaks off. The energy stored in this capacitor has

Three reasons for adding a dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor.
1. Dielectrics do not break down (allowing electric charge to flow"as readily as air, so a higher voltage can be applied without charge passing across the gap.
2. A dielectric allows the plates to be placed closer together without touching thus allowing an increased capacitance because the plate separation is less.
3. If a dielectric fills the space between the two conductors, it increases the capacitance.