NEET2026PhysicsChapterActual
A parallel plate air capacitor has an initial capacitance of 12 pF . If the separation between its plates is reduced to one-third of its original value and the area of each plate is doubled, what will be the new capacitance?
Options
- A72 pF
- B8 pF
- C18 pF
- D2 pF
Correct answer
A. 72 pF
Step-by-step solution
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by C = ₀ A d Given initial capacitance C₁ = ₀ A d = 12 pF The new area is A' = 2A and the new separation is d' = d 3 The new capacitance is C₂ = ₀ A' d' = ₀ (2A) d 3 = 6 ₀ A d C₂ = 6 C₁ = 6 12 pF = 72 pF Answer: 72 pF