Question icon
Grade 12Electrostatics

A parallel plate capacitor stores a charge Q at a voltage V. Suppose the area of the parallel plate capacitor and the distance between the plates are each doubled then which is the quantity that will change?

Profile image of MUTHUSAMY K
7 Years agoGrade 12
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Arun
7 Years ago

 

The capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor is given by

Capacitance =(permitivity of free space)*(area/distance)

or, C=E*(A/d)

So, if you double both area and distance at the same time, it does not matter.

C=E*(2A/2d)

Here, 2 cancels and we get the same formula

But if you double the area only, the capacitance will double and if you double the distance between the plates, the capacitance will be half.

 

both the area and distance of separation doubled, their effects would cancel out each other and the capacitance value would remain the same.