Parallel Plate Capacitor: Practice Problem & Solution

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Parallel Plate Capacitor. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Let’s solve step by step why the energy stored becomes

$2U$

:

1. Initial Setup

• Capacitance of the capacitor: 

  $$C = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d}$$where:

  • 
    $A$ 

    = area of the plates,

  • 
    $d$ 

    = distance between the plates,

  • 
    $\varepsilon_0$ 

    = permittivity of free space.

• When the capacitor is charged by a battery to a voltage
  $V$ 

  , the charge stored is: 

  $$Q = CV$$The energy stored in the capacitor is:

   

  $$U = \frac{1}{2} C V^2$$ 

2. When the Distance is Doubled

After the battery is removed, the charge

$Q$

on the capacitor remains constant because there’s no external connection. However, the capacitance changes due to the increased plate separation.

• New capacitance: 

  $$C' = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{2d}$$ 

• Energy stored in a capacitor is given by: 

  $$U' = \frac{Q^2}{2C'}$$Substitute

  $C' = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{2d}$:

   

  $$U' = \frac{Q^2}{2 \cdot \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{2d}} = \frac{Q^2 \cdot 2d}{2 \varepsilon_0 A}$$Simplify:

   

  $$U' = \frac{Q^2 d}{\varepsilon_0 A}$$ 

3. Relating $U'$

and $U$

From the initial setup:

$$U = \frac{1}{2} C V^2$$

Substitute

$C = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d}$

and

$Q = CV$

:

$$U = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d} \cdot V^2 = \frac{Q^2}{2C}$$

From the doubling of plate separation:

$$U' = 2 \cdot \frac{Q^2}{2C} = 2U$$

Final Answer:

The energy stored in the capacitor after doubling the separation is:

$$\boxed{2U}$$