A parallel plate capacitor is charged and the charging battery is subsequently disconnected. lf the plates of the capacitor are moved farther apart by means of insulating handles, the
A
capacitance would increase
B
capacitance would decrease
C
charge on the capacitor would increase
D
charge on the capacitor would decrease
Verified Correct Answer: B.
Physical Principles & Numerical Solution
As the distance between the plates increases, the ability of the capacitor to store charge (capacitance) decreases. Since the battery is disconnected, the charge remains constant, but the voltage across the plates increases.
Source: Myschool Past Questions Archive (Record #59435)