Factors, on which the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor depends, are
(A) Charge on the plates
(B) Area of plates
(C) Permittivity of the medium between the plates
(D) Distance between the plates
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (B), (C) and (D) only
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor depends only on its geometry and the medium between the plates.
\( \displaystyle C = \frac{\varepsilon A}{d} = \frac{K\varepsilon_0 A}{d} \)
(A) Charge on the plates — Incorrect. \( C = Q/V \), but when \( Q \) is increased \( V \) increases in the same proportion, so the ratio stays the same. Capacitance is independent of the charge.
(B) Area of plates — Correct. \( C \propto A \).
(C) Permittivity of the medium between the plates — Correct. \( C \propto \varepsilon \); a dielectric of constant \( K \) increases \( C \) by a factor \( K \).
(D) Distance between the plates — Correct. \( C \propto 1/d \).
NCERT (2026-27):
Capacitors and Capacitance – “… The constant C is called the capacitance of the capacitor. C is independent of Q or V, as stated above. The capacitance C depends only on the geometrical configuration (shape, size, separation) of the system of two conductors. [As we shall see later, it also depends on the nature of the insulator (dielectric) separating the two conductors.]”
Effect of Dielectric on Capacitance – “… The capacitance C, with dielectric between the plates, is then
\( \displaystyle C = \frac{\varepsilon_0 K A}{d} \qquad (2.51) \)”