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AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
10.3 Capacitors
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What are common types of capacitors?
Parallel-plate, cylindrical, spherical
What are the connections to the conductive plates of a capacitor called?
Terminals
The dielectric in a capacitor prevents charges from recombining.
True
Increasing the plate area of a capacitor
increases
What is the formula for the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor?
C = \frac{\epsilon_{0} \epsilon_{r} A}{d}</latex>
The formula for parallel-plate capacitor capacitance is
C
=
C =
C
=
ϵ
0
ϵ
r
A
d
\frac{\epsilon_{0} \epsilon_{r} A}{d}
d
ϵ
0
ϵ
r
A
The permittivity of free space is denoted by
ϵ
0
\epsilon_{0}
ϵ
0
Common types of capacitors include parallel-plate, cylindrical, and
spherical
The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is given by the formula
C
=
C =
C
=
ϵ
0
ϵ
r
A
d
\frac{\epsilon_{0} \epsilon_{r} A}{d}
d
ϵ
0
ϵ
r
A
What are the units of relative permittivity?
Dimensionless
During the discharging process, the voltage across a capacitor decreases
exponentially
.
True
Match the parameter with its formula:
Time Constant ↔️
τ
=
\tau =
τ
=
R
C
RC
RC
Charging Voltage ↔️
V
(
t
)
=
V(t) =
V
(
t
)
=
V
0
(
1
−
e
−
t
/
τ
)
V_{0}(1 - e^{ - t / \tau})
V
0
(
1
−
e
−
t
/
τ
)
Discharging Current ↔️
I
(
t
)
=
I(t) =
I
(
t
)
=
−
I
0
e
−
t
/
τ
- I_{0} e^{ - t / \tau}
−
I
0
e
−
t
/
τ
Capacitance depends on plate area, plate separation, and dielectric
properties
.
Increasing the plate area of a capacitor
increases
its capacitance.
The permittivity of free space is approximately
8.854
Higher capacitance allows more charge to be stored for a
given
voltage.
True
Capacitance decreases with greater plate separation.
True
The time constant for discharging a capacitor is calculated as τ = RC.
True
Increasing the voltage across a capacitor
significantly
amplifies the stored energy.
True
What is the definition of a capacitor?
Stores electric charge
The structure of a capacitor includes two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric.
True
How do capacitors store electrical energy?
By separating charges
Match the capacitor component with its description:
Conductive Plates ↔️ Metal plates that accumulate charge
Dielectric ↔️ Insulating material between plates
Terminals ↔️ Connections to conductive plates
Decreasing the plate separation of a capacitor
increases
In the capacitance formula,
C
C
C
represents the capacitance in units of Farads
Match the variable in the capacitance formula with its unit:
C ↔️ Farads
A ↔️ m^2
d ↔️ m
Higher capacitance allows more charge to be stored for a given
voltage
What is the value of the permittivity of free space in Farads per meter (F/m)?
8.854
×
1
0
−
12
8.854 \times 10^{ - 12}
8.854
×
1
0
−
12
What is the primary function of a capacitor?
Store electrical charge
What insulating material is used between the conductive plates of a capacitor?
Dielectric
Increasing the plate area or using a material with a higher
dielectric constant
increases capacitance.
True
The permittivity of free space is given by
8.854
x 10^-12 F/m.
The separation between the plates of a capacitor is measured in
meters
.
What is the formula for the time constant of a capacitor in an RC circuit?
τ
=
\tau =
τ
=
R
C
RC
RC
Capacitors store electrical charge using two conductive plates separated by a
dielectric
material.
True
Higher capacitance means a capacitor can store more charge at a
given
voltage.
True
List the factors affecting capacitance in order of their effect.
1️⃣ Plate Area
2️⃣ Plate Separation
3️⃣ Dielectric Properties
Higher capacitance allows more charge to be stored for a
given
voltage.
True
Match the variable with its unit:
Capacitance ↔️ Farads
Permittivity of Free Space ↔️ F/m
Plate Area ↔️ m^2
Plate Separation ↔️ m
In a real-world scenario, the relative permittivity of a capacitor is 4, and its capacitance is
nanofarads
See all 65 cards
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