Parallel plates capacitance is the measure of the ability of two parallel plates to store electric charge when a voltage is applied between them. It is determined by the distance between the plates, the area of the plates, and the material between the plates.
The capacitance of parallel plates can be calculated using the formula C = ε0A/d, where C is the capacitance, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, A is the area of the plates, and d is the distance between the plates.
The distance between the plates plays a crucial role in parallel plates capacitance because it determines the strength of the electric field between the plates. A larger distance results in a weaker electric field and a lower capacitance, while a smaller distance results in a stronger electric field and a higher capacitance.
When the distance between the plates is decreased, the capacitance increases because the electric field between the plates becomes stronger. This means that the plates can store more charge for the same applied voltage.
The material between the plates, also known as the dielectric material, affects parallel plates capacitance by increasing the capacitance compared to when there is air or vacuum between the plates. This is because the dielectric material has a higher permittivity, which allows it to store more electric charge.