A Parallel Plate Capacitor Is Connected to a Battery and Charged

question 52

Multiple Choice

A parallel plate capacitor is connected to a battery and charged to voltage V. Leah says that the charge on the plates will decrease if the distance between the plates is increased while they are still connected to the battery. Gertie says that the charge will remain the same. Which one, if either, is correct, and why?

• A) Gertie, because the maximum voltage is determined by the battery.
• B) Gertie, because the capacitance of the capacitor does not change.
• C) Leah, because the capacitance decreases when the plate separation is increased.
• D) Leah, because the capacitance increases when the plate separation is increased.
• E) Neither, because the charge increases when the plate separation is increased.

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