Final answer:
The potential difference (ΔV) in a capacitor is directly related to the charge (Q) and the capacitance (C) through the formula Q = CV, where a larger capacitance or higher voltage results in a greater amount of charge stored.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential difference, ΔV, in a capacitor is directly related to the charge, Q, and the capacitance, C, of the capacitor. This relationship is defined by the formula Q = CV. Here, C represents the capacitance of the capacitor, measured in farads (F), and V represents the voltage applied across the capacitor. Capacitance is the amount of charge stored per volt, which means that a larger capacitance or a higher voltage will result in a greater amount of charge stored in the capacitor. The unit of charge, Q, is coulombs (C), and therefore, the capacity to store charge is inherent to the physical characteristics of the capacitor. The formula also shows that the greater the voltage (V) applied to a capacitor, the greater the charge (Q) it will store. This means that the relationship between charge, voltage, and capacitance is such that they are all positively related. Capacitance can be thought of as the efficiency of charge storage per unit voltage for a given capacitor.