How does a parallel plate capacitor work (conceptually)?

AI Thread Summary
A parallel plate capacitor works by having a battery create a voltage difference between its two plates. The battery pulls charge from one plate and pushes it onto the other, establishing an electric field between them. This process continues until the voltage across the capacitor matches the battery voltage. Initially, the charging occurs rapidly, but it slows down as the capacitor approaches full charge. Understanding this concept is essential for grasping how capacitors function in electrical circuits.
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Homework Statement



How does a parallel plate capacitor work (conceptually)? Also how does each plate get charged?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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hi btpolk! :smile:

the battery "pulls" charge off one plate of the capacitor, and "pushes" it onto the other plate

it keeps doing that until the voltage difference between the plates ("across the capacitor") is the same as the battery voltage

it starts fast and ends slooow :wink:​
 

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