The figure below shows four parallel plate capacitors: A, B, C, and D. Each capacitor carries the same charge q and has the same plate area A. As suggested by the figure, the plates of capacitors A and C are separated by a distance d while those of B and D are separated by a distance 2d. Capacitors A and B are maintained in vacuum while capacitors C and D contain dielectrics with constant  = 5.
-Which list below places the capacitors in order of increasing capacitance?

Question

The figure below shows four parallel plate capacitors: A, B, C, and D. Each capacitor carries the same charge q and has the same plate area A. As suggested by the figure, the plates of capacitors A and C are separated by a distance d while those of B and D are separated by a distance 2d. Capacitors A and B are maintained in vacuum while capacitors C and D contain dielectrics with constant  = 5. 
-Which list below places the capacitors in order of increasing capacitance?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Capacitance is directly proportional to the area of the plates and inversely proportional to the distance between the plates. Capacitor D has the largest area and the smallest distance between the plates, so it has the largest capacitance. Capacitor C has the smallest area and the largest distance between the plates, so it has the smallest capacitance. Capacitor B has a larger area than capacitor A, but capacitor A has a smaller distance between the plates, so capacitor A has a larger capacitance than capacitor B.

The Figure Below Shows Four Parallel Plate Capacitors: A, B