A battery charges a parallel-plate capacitor fully and then is removed. The plates are immediately pulled apart. (With the battery disconnected, the amount of charge on the plates remains constant.) What happens to the potential difference between the plates as they are being separated?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The potential difference between the plates increases as they are separated because the potential difference (V) is directly proportional to the separation (d) when the charge (Q) is constant, as described by the equation V = Qd/(ε₀A), where ε₀ is the permittivity of free space and A is the area of the plates.

A Battery Charges a Parallel-Plate Capacitor Fully and Then Is