Can a capacitor still function without both plates?

AI Thread Summary
A capacitor requires both plates to function effectively, as the opposite charges create an electric field. If one plate is removed, the remaining plate can still hold some charge, but the capacitance becomes negligible due to the small size of the disconnected conductor. This scenario essentially results in an open circuit, meaning the circuit is incomplete and cannot perform its intended function. The charges will redistribute until the electric field opposes the applied voltage, but the system lacks the characteristics of a functional capacitor. Thus, without both plates, the device is practically rendered ineffective.
kartikwat
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What would have been if the opposite and equal charge wouldn't have been induce on 2nd conductor in parallel plate capacitor when connected to a battery
 
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Then you would have an open circuit.
 
Open circuit means
 
kartikwat said:
Open circuit means

From Google Search --- which you should learn how to use.

o·pen cir·cuit
noun
noun: open circuit; plural noun: open circuits

an electrical circuit that is not complete.
 
kartikwat said:
What would have been if the opposite and equal charge wouldn't have been induce on 2nd conductor in parallel plate capacitor when connected to a battery

This can't really happen. Let's imagine that we remove the 2nd plate from the capacitor and leave the 1st plate behind. We will also leave the conductor that used to connect to the 2nd plate disconnected. In this case you will still have a capacitor, as charges will move onto/off of the plate AND the end of the disconnected conductor until the field between them completely opposes the applied voltage. But since the conductor is much smaller than a plate, the capacitance is very, very small. So small that for all purposes you might as well not even consider it a capacitor. Just consider it an open in the circuit.
 

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