Increasing the voltage across the two plates of a capacitor will produce what effect on the capacitor?
a. increase charge
b. decrease charge
c. increase capacitance
d. decrease capacitance
how do i approach this one?
To approach this question, you need to understand the relationship between voltage, charge, and capacitance in a capacitor.
First, let's define some terms:
- Voltage (V): This refers to the potential difference across the two plates of the capacitor. It is measured in volts (V).
- Charge (Q): This represents the amount of electric charge stored in the capacitor. It is measured in coulombs (C).
- Capacitance (C): This is a measure of a capacitor's ability to store electric charge. It is determined by the physical characteristics of the capacitor and is measured in farads (F).
Now, let's look at the options provided:
a. increase charge: Increasing the voltage across the plates of a capacitor will result in an increase in charge. This is because the charge stored in a capacitor is directly proportional to the voltage across it, following the equation Q = CV, where Q is charge, C is capacitance, and V is voltage.
b. decrease charge: Increasing the voltage will actually increase the charge, so this option is incorrect.
c. increase capacitance: Changing the voltage across a capacitor does not directly affect its capacitance. Capacitance is determined by the physical properties of the capacitor, such as the area of the plates, the distance between them, and the material between them. So, this option is incorrect.
d. decrease capacitance: Similarly to option c, changing the voltage does not alter the capacitance of the capacitor. Therefore, this option is also incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is "a. increase charge".