Nate Electrical Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Capacitance is indeed proportional to the surface area of the plates in a capacitor. This relationship arises from the fundamental definition of capacitance, which is the ability of a capacitor to store electrical charge. Specifically, capacitance (C) is defined as the amount of charge (Q) stored per unit voltage (V) across the capacitor, expressed as C = Q/V.

When it comes to the physical construction of capacitors, the surface area of the conductive plates is directly related to the amount of charge they can hold. A larger surface area allows for more charge to be stored, increasing the overall capacitance. Essentially, as the area of the plates increases, it provides more space for electric field lines, thereby enhancing the capacitor's ability to store charge.

Additionally, capacitance is also affected by the distance between the plates and the type of dielectric material used. However, the specific question focuses on how capacitance is linked to the physical dimensions, which is exemplified by the relationship with the surface area. Therefore, the assertion that capacitance is proportional to the surface area of the plates accurately reflects the principles of capacitor design and operation.