Question

Review the statements for a charged capacitor and illustrated from the voltage source. Which of the statements are true?

I) The charge decreases when the capacitor plates are separated.
II) The load remains constant, regardless of the spacing between the plates.
III) The potential difference decreases with separation between the plates.
IV) The potential difference increases with separation between the plates

Answer 1

The charge and potential difference decrease with separation between the plates of a charged capacitor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The following statements are true regarding a charged capacitor:

1. I) The charge decreases when the capacitor plates are separated. When the plates of a capacitor are separated, the distance between them increases and the capacitance decreases. Since the charge stored on the capacitor is directly proportional to the capacitance, the charge also decreases.
2. III) The potential difference decreases with separation between the plates. The potential difference (voltage) across a capacitor is directly proportional to the charge stored on it and inversely proportional to the capacitance. As the plates are separated, the capacitance decreases, resulting in a decrease in potential difference.