Question Detail
Question
A parallel plate air capacitor is made using two plates 0.2 m² spaced 1 cm apart. It is connected to a 50 V battery. What is the charge on each plate?
Correct Answer
Option C is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
First, calculate the capacitance: C = ε₀A/d. Given A = 0.2 m², d = 1 cm = 0.01 m, and the permittivity of free space ε₀ ≈ 8.854 × 10⁻¹² F/m, C = (8.854 × 10⁻¹² F/m × 0.2 m²) / 0.01 m = 1.7708 × 10⁻¹⁰ F. Next, calculate the charge using Q = CV. Given V = 50 V, Q = (1.7708 × 10⁻¹⁰ F) × 50 V = 8.854 × 10⁻⁹ C = 8.854 nC.
Hint
First calculate the capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor, then use the capacitance and voltage to find the charge.