Dielectric Polarization

There are four types of dielectric polarization in non-conducting or insulator (dielectric):

1. Electronic polarization:
When an electric field is applied to the dielectric, the negative electron cloud is displaced in
each atom relative to the positive nucleus, thereby creating a small-induced dipole whose
negative pole is toward the positive side of the electric field, and the positive pole is toward
the negative side of the electric field.

2. Orientation polarization:
Some materials consist of molecules, which act as permanent molecular dipoles, which are
randomly distributed. When an electric field is applied, these permanent molecular dipoles
will rotate in order to be aligned with the applied field.

3. Ionic polarization:
This type of polarization occurs in ionic materials such as NaCl. When an electric field is
applied, the cations (positive ions) are attracted towards the negative side of the field and
the anions (negative ions) are attracted towards the positive side of the field.
 4. Space-charge polarization:
This type of polarization is formed due to the accumulation of charges on the boundaries or
interfaces between two materials or on the electrodes when an external field is applied.