Is Graphing Capacitance vs. 1/d More Effective?

In summary, capacitance between two plates is a measure of the ability of the plates to store an electric charge and is represented by the symbol C. It is calculated using the formula C = εA/d and is affected by factors such as the material, area, and distance between the plates. The distance between two plates is inversely proportional to the capacitance, meaning that as the distance decreases, the capacitance increases. This concept is significant in electrical engineering and physics, as it is used in electronic devices, energy storage and transmission, and capacitive touch screens and sensors.
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Homework Statement
I had a physics lab where I measured the capacitance between two parallel plates. I was told to make two graphs of Capacitance vs. distance, one for i) d ≤ 1.0cm and another for ii) d ≥ 1.0cm. Then I was asked which data range (d>1cm or d< 1cm) better fits the parallel plate formula by comparing the graphs for each data range (see the pictures below). I was also asked to explain why it fits better in terms of the assumptions built into the derivation of the parallel plate formula.
Also, I am confused about which formula to use. I believe that I am supposed to use C=E0(A/d)

Also I believe that the assumptions of the parallel plate formula are that the plates are large and close together, so the charge is distributed uniformly over each plate (not entirely sure).
Because of this , I think that the graph for values of d less than 1 cm is more accurate, however i do not know how to explain this in terms of slope of the graph, or how to relate the equation y=-529+306 or how to explain this in terms of the assumptions built into the parallel plate formula.
Relevant Equations
C=E0(A/d) (I am not sure if this is the correct equation to use)
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  • #2
C=E0(A/d) is the correct formula. You won't get a straight line if you graph C versus d. It would be more useful to graph C versus 1/d and check if that is a straight line.
 

FAQ: Is Graphing Capacitance vs. 1/d More Effective?

What is capacitance between two plates?

Capacitance between two plates is a measure of the ability of two parallel plates to store an electric charge when a voltage is applied between them.

How is capacitance between two plates calculated?

The capacitance between two plates can be calculated using the formula C = εA/d, where C is the capacitance, ε is the permittivity of the material between the plates, A is the area of the plates, and d is the distance between the plates.

What factors affect capacitance between two plates?

The factors that affect capacitance between two plates include the distance between the plates, the size and shape of the plates, the material between the plates, and the voltage applied to the plates.

What are some applications of capacitance between two plates?

Capacitance between two plates is commonly used in electronic circuits for storing and controlling electric charge. It is also used in capacitors, which are components in many electronic devices such as computers, televisions, and mobile phones.

How can capacitance between two plates be increased?

Capacitance between two plates can be increased by decreasing the distance between the plates, increasing the area of the plates, using materials with a higher permittivity, and increasing the voltage applied to the plates.

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