What happens to capacitance when the distance between plates increases?

What happens to capacitance when the distance between plates increases?

• A. Capacitance increases
• B. Capacitance decreases
• C. Capacitance remains the same
• D. Capacitance becomes infinite

Answer: (B)

Capacitance is inversely related to the plate separation. For a parallel-plate capacitor with area A and dielectric permittivity ε, C = εA/d. Keeping A and ε fixed, increasing the distance d lowers C in direct proportion. Physically, spreading the plates apart makes it harder to store the same charge at a given voltage, so the required voltage rises for the same Q, meaning C = Q/V decreases. It does not become infinite; it grows smaller as distance grows.

Capacitance is inversely related to the plate separation. For a parallel-plate capacitor with area A and dielectric permittivity ε, C = εA/d. Keeping A and ε fixed, increasing the distance d lowers C in direct proportion. Physically, spreading the plates apart makes it harder to store the same charge at a given voltage, so the required voltage rises for the same Q, meaning C = Q/V decreases. It does not become infinite; it grows smaller as distance grows.