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⚛️ Physics  ·  Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance  ·  NEET & JEE

A charged parallel-plate capacitor is disconnected from the battery, then the plate separation is doubled. The stored energy:

Answer: doubles.

  • A halves
  • B doubles
  • C becomes four times
  • D is unchanged

Correct answer: B. doubles

Explanation: Q is fixed; C halves, so U = Q²/2C doubles.

Radial electric field lines and concentric red equipotential lines around a point charge (an electron), with field lines pointing inward

Field lines (radial) and equipotential lines (concentric circles) of a point charge. Equipotential surfaces are always perpendicular to the field lines. Image: Sjlegg, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Electric potential, equipotential surfaces, potential energy of charge systems, conductors, dielectrics, capacitors, combinations, and energy storage.

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