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A parallel plate capacitor separated 10 cm, by an air barrier is connected to a 100 V battery. The capacitance of the capacitor is 1 picofarad while the battery is connected. Without disconnecting the battery, the parallel plates are moved so they are now 20 cm apart. What happens to the energy stored in the capacitor?
  • a)
    It increases fourfold
  • b)
    It increases by half
  • c)
    It decreases fourfold
  • d)
    It decreases by half
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
A parallel plate capacitor separated10cm, by an air barrier is connect...
Explanation:

Initial Situation:
- Initially, the parallel plate capacitor is separated by 10cm with a capacitance of 1 picofarad and connected to a 100V battery.
- The energy stored in the capacitor can be calculated using the formula:
Energy = 0.5 * C * V^2, where C is the capacitance and V is the voltage.

When the plates are moved to 20cm apart:
- The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by the formula: C = ε0 * A / d, where ε0 is the permittivity of free space, A is the area of the plates, and d is the distance between the plates.
- As the distance between the plates is doubled to 20cm, the capacitance decreases by a factor of 2 (C = ε0 * A / 2d).
- When the capacitance decreases, the energy stored in the capacitor also decreases proportionally.

Conclusion:
- The energy stored in the capacitor decreases by half when the plates are moved to 20cm apart without disconnecting the battery.
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Community Answer
A parallel plate capacitor separated10cm, by an air barrier is connect...
  • Since this question does not ask for actual numeric answers, it's easier to determine relationships rather than "plugging-and-chugging" for the actual answer. Recall the formula for energy stored in a capacitor: U = 0.5QV. Try to express this in terms of C.
  • Given Q = CV, U = 0.5 CV2. You know that  so substitute that in.
  • Since the potential difference is maintained, you should see that  d increases from 10 cm to 20 cm. 
  • The energy stored in the capacitor decreases by half when the plates are moved from 10 cm to 20 cm apart.
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A parallel plate capacitor separated10cm, by an air barrier is connected to a100V battery. The capacitance of the capacitor is 1picofarad while the battery is connected. Without disconnecting the battery, the parallel plates are moved so they are now20cm apart. What happens to the energy stored in the capacitor?a)It increases fourfoldb)It increases by halfc)It decreases fourfoldd)It decreases by halfCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
A parallel plate capacitor separated10cm, by an air barrier is connected to a100V battery. The capacitance of the capacitor is 1picofarad while the battery is connected. Without disconnecting the battery, the parallel plates are moved so they are now20cm apart. What happens to the energy stored in the capacitor?a)It increases fourfoldb)It increases by halfc)It decreases fourfoldd)It decreases by halfCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2024 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about A parallel plate capacitor separated10cm, by an air barrier is connected to a100V battery. The capacitance of the capacitor is 1picofarad while the battery is connected. Without disconnecting the battery, the parallel plates are moved so they are now20cm apart. What happens to the energy stored in the capacitor?a)It increases fourfoldb)It increases by halfc)It decreases fourfoldd)It decreases by halfCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for A parallel plate capacitor separated10cm, by an air barrier is connected to a100V battery. The capacitance of the capacitor is 1picofarad while the battery is connected. Without disconnecting the battery, the parallel plates are moved so they are now20cm apart. What happens to the energy stored in the capacitor?a)It increases fourfoldb)It increases by halfc)It decreases fourfoldd)It decreases by halfCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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