Question

How can we decrease the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor?

• A. Increasing the stored charge in the capacitor
• B. Decreasing the stored charge in the capacitor
• C. Decreasing the gap between the charged plates
• D. Increasing the gap between the charged plates

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Increasing the gap between the charged plates

Correct Option: Option D

1. Capacitance: It is the ratio of the amount of electric charge stored in a conductor to the potential difference.
2. Parallel plate capacitor: It is an arrangement of 2 metal plates connected in a parallel way.
3. Capacitance in a parallel plate capacitor (C) is inversely proportional to the distance between the two metal plates. The capacitance is given as $C=\frac{{\epsilon }_{0}A}{d}$, where ${\epsilon }_0=Electrostaticcons\tan t,A=crosssectionareaofplates,d=dis\tan cebetweenplates$
4. Therefore to decrease the capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor, we need to increase the distance between the charged plates.

Incorrect Options:

Option A

The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor does not depend on the charge stored in the capacitor. So, this option is incorrect.

Option B

The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor does not depend on the charge stored in the capacitor. So, this option is incorrect.

Option C

Capacitance in a parallel plate capacitor is inversely proportional to the distance between the two metal plates and is given as $C=\frac{{\epsilon }_{0}A}{d}$. Therefore when the gap decreases, the capacitance will increase. So, this option is incorrect.

Hence, option D is correct.