Capacitance

Question 1

What is electric potential energy?

Answer 1

The work required to bring a system of charges from an infinite separation to their final positions..

Question 2

Capacitor

Answer 2

A device for storing electrical charge and energy.

Question 3

Capacitance

Answer 3

The ratio of the magnitude of the charge stored on either plate of a capacitor and the potential difference between the plates.

Question 4

Farad

Answer 4

The SI unit of capacitance. It is equivalent to 1C/1V.

Question 5

Dielectric

Answer 5

An insulating material which is placed between the plates of a capacitor.

Question 6

Dielectric Constant

Answer 6

The (material specific) factor by which a dielectric material increases the capacitance of a device.

Question 7

Equivalent Capacitor

Answer 7

The capacitance of a single capacitor that could replace some combination of charge for a given potential difference.

Question 8

Equivalent Capcitor

Answer 8

The capacitance of a single capacitor that could replace some combination of charge for a given potential difference.

Question 9

Potential Difference

Answer 9

The potential energy per unit charge.

Question 10

electron Volt

Answer 10

A unit of ENERGY. 1eV is the energy required to accelerate one electron (1e) through a potential difference of one volt (1V).

Question 11

Series Circuit

Answer 11

A circuit in which the circuit elements are wired consecutively (one after the other) such that there are no branches around the circuit. There is only one pathway through the circuit elements.

Question 12

Parallel Circuit

Answer 12

A circuit in which the circuit elements are wired such that there are multiple branches around the circuit. There are multiple pathways through the circuit elements.

Question 13

Dielectric breakdown

Answer 13

The point at which an insulating medium, such as a gas, becomes ionized by a strong electric field and becomes a conductor.

Question 14

Equipotential Surface

Answer 14

A surface on which the electric potential is constant.

Question 15

A positive charge moves in the opposite direction of an electric field.
A)What is the sign of the work done by the field?
B)What is the sign of the change in potential?

Answer 15

A) Negative

B) Positive

Question 16

Electric Potential

Answer 16

The ratio of the change in potential energy of a charge to the magnitude of the charge.

Question 17

Equations (3) for energy stored in a capacitor.

Answer 17

W = U = 1/2QV
W = U = 1/2CV^2
W = U = 1/2QV

Question 18

Units for electric field

Answer 18

V/m = N/C

Question 19

When a dielectric is placed between the plates of a capacitor what happens to the:
A) field strength?
B) Capacitance?

Answer 19

A) Decrease

B) Increase