Q139
General SciencePhysics
In a charged capacitor, the energy resides in
- a.positive charges.
- b.both positive and negative charges.
- c.the field between the plates.
- d.around the edge of the plates.
Answer: (C) the field between the plates.
The energy of a charged capacitor, $\frac{1}{2}CV^2$, is stored in the electric field between its plates, with energy density $\frac{1}{2}\varepsilon_0 E^2$. It is not stored in the charges themselves, and the fringe field at the edges holds only a small part.