Final answer:
The energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor can be calculated using the capacitance, which is a function of the plate area and distance between plates, and the potential difference across the plates. The capacitance is directly proportional to the plate area and inversely proportional to the distance between the plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor is determined by its capacitance and the voltage applied across the plates. The capacitance, C, of a parallel plate capacitor is given by the formula C = ε0 (A/d), where ε0 is the permittivity of free space, A is the area of one plate, and d is the distance between the plates. Once charged to a voltage V, the energy (U) stored in the capacitor can be calculated using the equation U = (1/2) CV2, where V is the potential difference across the capacitor plates.
Assuming we have a capacitor with an electric field E, the potential difference V can be expressed as Ed, since the electric field is constant and directly proportional to the charge Q.
It is essential to note that the energy stored is not only a function of the charge but also the configuration and characteristics of the capacitor itself, which include the plate area and separation distance. As the plate area increases or the plate separation decreases, capacitance increases, and thus, the energy stored increases for a fixed voltage.