🔋college physics i – introduction review

key term - Parallel plate capacitor

Definition

A parallel plate capacitor consists of two conductive plates separated by a dielectric material. It stores electrical energy in the electric field created between the plates.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The capacitance $C$ of a parallel plate capacitor is given by $C = \epsilon_0 \frac{A}{d}$, where $\epsilon_0$ is the permittivity of free space, $A$ is the area of one plate, and $d$ is the separation between the plates.
  2. Introducing a dielectric material between the plates increases the capacitance by a factor called the dielectric constant (k).
  3. The electric field $E$ between the plates is uniform and given by $E = \frac{V}{d}$, where $V$ is the voltage across the plates.
  4. The energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor is given by $U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2$.
  5. If the distance between the plates increases while maintaining constant charge, the voltage also increases.

Review Questions

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