(a) Suppose that we disconnect the wires from the plates after the capacitor is charged as shown in Figure \(26.5 \mathrm{c}\). How does the potential difference between the plates after the wires are disconnected compare to that just before they are disconnected?

(b) If we replace the battery in Figure 26.5 by a battery that maintains a greater potential difference between its terminals, is the magnitude of the charge on the plates greater than, smaller than, or the same as when the first battery is connected?

Transcribed Image Text:

Figure 26.5 Charging a capacitor. (Think of the plates as an edge-on version of those shown in Figure 26.4.) (a) Capacitor not connected to battery Zero potential difference between uncharged plates. (b) Capacitor being charged Electrons flow along wires in direction of higher potential. (c) Capacitor fully charged Potential of each plate now identical to that of corresponding battery terminal. battery flow of electrons Battery maintains potential difference between terminals. 1 Chemical reactions in battery supply charge to terminals, keeping potential difference fixed Potential difference between terminals stays the same.