Consider the potential across the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. As the potential is increased, the following occur:
A) The capacitance remains constant and the charge decreases.
B) The capacitance increases and the charge remains constant.
C) The capacitance increases and the charge increases.
D) The capacitance remains constant and the charge increases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is determined by the physical characteristics of the capacitor (area of the plates, distance between them, and the dielectric material between the plates) and does not change with the applied voltage. As the potential (voltage) across the plates is increased, the charge stored on the plates increases proportionally, according to the formula Q = CV, where Q is the charge, C is the capacitance, and V is the voltage.

Consider the Potential Across the Plates of a Parallel-Plate Capacitor