The separation between the plates of a charged parallel-plate capacitor is increased. Which of the following quantities will change?
When we increase the separation between the plates of a charged parallel capacitor the value of Capacitance decreases by the formula
Where,
d=separation between the plates
A=area of plates
ϵ0=absolute permittivity of vacuum
Charge on the capacitor remains unchanged because no charge transfer takes place.
∴ Potential difference across the capacitor changes by the formula
Where,
Q= charge on the capacitor
C=capacitance
Similarly Energy across the capacitor given by
Where,
C=capacitance
V=potential difference across capacitor
So, as V changes energy stored also changes
Therefore, on increasing separation between the plates of capacitor, potential difference and energy of capacitor changes whereas charge and energy density remains the same.