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Item RG112002: An engineer can increase the electrostatic potential energy of a capacitor by increasing the distance between the two plates.

A capacitor is a device that is used to store an electrostatic charge. It is composed of two large conductive plates separated by a nonconductive insulating layer.

An engineer would like to increase the electrostatic potential energy of a capacitor. Which of the following changes could she make to the capacitor to increase the electrostatic potential energy?

  1. Increase the distance between the two plates by increasing the thickness of the insulating layer
  2. Decrease the distance between the two plates by decreasing the thickness of the insulating layer
  3. The only way to increase the electrostatic potential energy of a capacitor is to replace the insulating layer.
  4. It is not possible to increase the electrostatic potential energy of a capacitor.
Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 1538
4–5
n = 0
6–8
n = 791
9–12
n = 747
Male
n = 738
Female
n = 771
English
n = 1389
Other
n = 109
A. 27%N/A 26% 28% 28% 25% 27% 30%
B. 42%N/A 38% 47% 43% 42% 43% 30%
C. 20%N/A 23% 16% 20% 20% 19% 28%
D. 11%N/A 13% 9% 9% 13% 11% 12%