A parallel plate capacitor is connected to a battery and fully charged. Its plat

Question

A parallel plate capacitor is connected to a battery and fully charged. Its plates are then moved closer together. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between the plates being moved after the capacitor is isolated versus the plates being moved while the capacitor is still connected to the battery?

A. If the capacitor was isolated, the charge stored was constant; if the capacitor was still connected to the battery, the potential difference across its plates increased.

B. If the capacitor was isolated, the charge stored increased; if the capacitor was still connected to the battery, the potential difference across its plates increased.

C. If the capacitor was isolated, the charge stored was constant; if the capacitor was still connected to the battery, the potential difference across its plates was constant.

D. If the capacitor was isolated, the charge stored increased; if the capacitor was still connected to the battery, the potential difference across its plates was constant.

E. More than one of the above is correct.

Can someone explain why C is the correct answer?

Explanation / Answer

here,

when the battery is connected ,

the battery is providing the constant potential difference

then the potential difference across the plates is constant

and

as the charge can't flow in an isolated capacitor

therefore,

the charge stored was constant

so ,

C. If the capacitor was isolated, the charge stored was constant; if the capacitor was still connected to the battery, the potential difference across its plates was constant.

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