The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is independent of which quantity?

1. Effective surface area of overlap of the two parallel plates.

The capacitance of a capacitor increases as the effective surface area A of over lap increases

C∝A

This implies that the capacitance is directly proportional to the effective surface area A

2. The distance in between the plates.

The more the distance between the plates the less the capacitance. Meaning that the capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance apart

C∝ 1/d

3. The presence of dielectric

material

The capacitance of a capacitor

increases as the presence of a

dielectric increases

C∝ε

Generally C∝A/d

C=εA/d

Where ε is permittivity of free space

= 8.84x10^12F/m

The voltage across the capacitor

Explanation:

From the two equations used in determining the capacitance of a capacitor I. e the equation which show the relationship between the charge, the voltage and capacitance of the plate

C=Q/V.

From the mathematical expression above one can be tempted to say that the capacitance varies directly as the quantity of charge and inversely as the voltage. But in the true sense this quantities has no effect on the on the capacitance of the capacitor.

Also from the expression relating the area, distance and the dielectric material to the capacitance I. e

C=£A/d

We can conclude that the as the area increases, the capacitance increase and as the distance increases the capacitance decrease. Also the nature f the die-electric material can affect the capacitance of the capacitor.

Hence the factors that affect the capacitance of a capacitor are the area of the plate, the distance between the plates and the nature of the dielectric material.

from the giving options, we can conclude that The voltage across the capacitor is the correct answer