The ratio of charge to potential difference between two opposite charge conductors is called
a. electric field
b. potential difference
c. voltage
d. capacitance
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. capacitance.
Capacitance is the ratio of the charge stored on a conductor to the potential difference (voltage) between two conductors. It is a fundamental property of capacitors and is measured in farads (F). In a capacitor, one conductor holds a positive charge, while the other holds an equal negative charge. The potential difference is created between the two conductors when they are charged.
The formula for capacitance (C) is: C=QVC = \frac{Q}{V}
Where:
- CC is the capacitance,
- QQ is the charge stored on the conductors,
- VV is the potential difference between the conductors.
Capacitance depends on several factors:
- Area of the conductors: Larger conductors can hold more charge for a given potential difference, thus increasing capacitance.
- Distance between the conductors: The closer the conductors are, the higher the capacitance, as the electric field between them becomes stronger.
- Dielectric material: The material between the conductors (dielectric) affects the capacitance. Materials with higher permittivity increase capacitance because they allow more charge to be stored for the same potential difference.
Capacitance is important in various electronic components and systems, especially in energy storage and filtering applications. Capacitors can store electrical energy in the form of an electric field, and their behavior is critical in circuits involving alternating current (AC), power supplies, and signal processing.
The other options:
- Electric field: It is the force per unit charge that would be exerted on a small positive test charge placed in the field, not the ratio of charge to potential difference.
- Potential difference: This is the difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit, which is related to but not the same as capacitance.
- Voltage: Voltage is another term for potential difference, which also doesn’t describe the ratio of charge to potential difference directly.