Final answer:
Option A. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two parallel metal plates that store electrical energy. The capacitance depends on the area of the plates and the distance between them, being greater for a larger area and smaller distance. Adding a dielectric material increases the capacitor's energy storage capability.
Step-by-step explanation:
A parallel plate capacitor is indeed constructed of two parallel metal plates. This is a fundamental component in electronics, often used to store electrical energy in an electric field. The way a parallel plate capacitor works is by having one plate with a positive charge and another with an equal but opposite negative charge. The electric field between the plates is directly proportional to the charge on the plates and inversely proportional to the distance between them. As the charge increases, the electric field strength also increases.
The capacity of a capacitor, known as capacitance, is influenced by the surface area of the plates (A) and the distance between them (d). A greater surface area allows for more charge to be stored, increasing capacitance, while a smaller distance between the plates increases the attraction between opposite charges and also increases capacitance. Therefore, capacitance is directly proportional to the area of the plates and inversely proportional to the distance between them. Adding a dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor can increase its ability to store charge by reducing the electric field inside the capacitor for a given amount of charge on the plates.