Capacitors: SAQ Solutions

Listed below are the solutions to the SAQs on Capacitors:

1. Cathode; Anode
   Refer to the figure of a typical capacitor’s anatomy.
   
2. Increase the amount of charge that the capacitor is able to store.
   The dielectric impedes current flow, thereby preventing discharge of the plates through the space between them. This increases plate capacitance by the equation C = kεo(A/d) for a parallel plate capacitor where C = capacitance, k = the dielectric constant (lowest value of 1 in a vacuum), εo = the permittivity of free space (a constant), A = area of plates, and d=distance between plates.
   
3. False.
   Capacitors in parallel add together like resistors in series (add together the individual capacitances), while capacitors in series add like resistors in parallel (the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance is equal to the added reciprocals of the individual capacitances).
4. More work is required to put charge on the plates once they are partially charged.
   As a voltage difference builds up across the plates, the force of the applied voltage power supply is more strongly opposed, requiring more force to further charge the capacitor plates.