An ideal parallel-plate capacitor consists of two parallel plates of area A separated by a distance d. This capacitor is connected across a battery that maintains a constant potential difference between
The plates. If the separation between the plates is now doubled, the magnitude of the charge on the
Plates will
A) be cut in fourth.
B) double.
C) quadruple.
D) not change.
E) be cut in half.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is given by C = ε₀A/d. When the separation d is doubled, the capacitance is halved. Since the potential difference V is constant, the charge Q = CV will also be halved.

An Ideal Parallel-Plate Capacitor Consists of Two Parallel Plates of Area