As the voltage in the circuit is increased (but not to the breakdown voltage), the capacitance
A) increases.
B) decreases.
C) does not change.
D) increases, decreases, or does not change, depending on the charge on the plates of the capacitor.
E) does none of these.

Question

As the voltage in the circuit is increased (but not to the breakdown voltage), the capacitance
A) increases. 
B) decreases. 
C) does not change. 
D) increases, decreases, or does not change, depending on the charge on the plates of the capacitor. 
E) does none of these.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the charge on either conductor to the potential difference between them. This definition implies that capacitance is independent of the voltage across the capacitor, as long as the voltage is not high enough to cause the dielectric to break down. Therefore, the capacitance does not change as the voltage is increased (option C is correct).

As the Voltage in the Circuit Is Increased (But Not