How does a parallel plate capacitor work (conceptually)?

[btpolk]

Homework Statement

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

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[tiny-tim]

hi btpolk!

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 ​