How does the energy change in a capacitor with variable plate distance?

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    Capacitor Energy
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In a capacitor with variable plate distance, the energy stored in the electric field is influenced by changes in capacitance as the distance between the plates increases. With a constant charge Q, increasing the distance by 20% alters the capacitance, which in turn affects the energy. The relevant equations indicate that energy is related to capacitance and voltage, and since capacitance decreases with increased distance, the energy stored will also change. The discussion suggests that while the energy may seem constant due to the charge being fixed, it actually varies with the changing capacitance. Therefore, the energy does change as the distance between the plates increases.
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Homework Statement


A capacitor has variable distance between the plates . It charges with a constant charge Q and the distance between the plates increase with 20%. How many percent does the energy change in the electric field between the plates?


Homework Equations


E = (1/2)QV = (1/2)CV^2 = Q^2/2C


The Attempt at a Solution


I remember my teacher said that the energy only depends on e. So the energy is the same.
 
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chopticks said:

Homework Equations


E = (1/2)QV = (1/2)CV^2 = Q^2/2C


Here Q is constant.Becuase distance between the plates changes,capacitance also changes.

C=\epsilon\frac{A}{d}

\epsilon and A are also constants.
 
ok. If I want to find the maximum energy/volume then the distance doesn't matter, right?
 
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