Question

A parallel plate capacitor is connected to a battery. A metal sheet of negligible thickness is placed between the plates. The sheet remains parallel to the plates of the capacitor. Which of the following is correct?

• A. The battery will supply more charge
• B. The capacitance will increase
• C. The potential difference between the plates will increase
• D. Equal and opposite charges will appear on the two faces of the metal plate

Hint:

When a conductor is inserted between the plates of a capacitor, it divides the capacitor into two parts and causes equal and opposite charges to appear on the faces of the conductor.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

When a metal sheet is inserted between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor, it divides the capacitor into two separate capacitors. The sheet being a conductor will experience equal and opposite charges on its faces, thus maintaining charge balance. The battery does not supply more charge because the overall potential difference remains the same. The capacitance does not increase; it is affected by the properties of the dielectric, but the metal sheet acts as a conductor and does not serve as a dielectric.

Hence, the correct answer is (d).