Question

A capacitor consists of two closely spaced metal conductors of large area, separated by a thin insulating foil. It has an electrical capacity of 3000.0 μF and is charged to a potential difference of 60.0 V. Calculate the amount of energy stored in the capacitor. Tries 0/20 Calculate the charge on this capacitor when the electrical energy stored in the capacitor is 6.53 J. Tries 0/20 If the two plates of the capacitor have their separation increased by a factor of 5 while the charge on the plates remains constant, by what factor is the energy stored in the capacitor increased?

Answer 1

1 = 5.4 J

2 = 0.1979 C

3 = 5

Step-by-step explanation:

Energy in a capacitor, E is

E = 1/2 * C * V²

E = 1/2 * 3000*10^-6 * 60²

E = 1/2 * 3000*10^-6 * 3600

E = 1/2 * 10.8

E = 5.4 J

E = Q²/2C = 6.53 J

E * 2C = Q²

Q² = 6.53 * 2 * 3000*10^-6

Q² = 13.06 * 3000*10^-6

Q² = 0.03918

Q = √0.03918

Q = 0.1979 C

The Capacitor, C is inversely proportional to the distance of separation, D. Thus, if D is increased by 5 to be 5D, then C would be C/5. And therefore, our energy stored in the capacitor is increased by a factor of 5.