Describe the process of a capacitor charging.

At first, there is a potential difference between the two plates of the capacitor equal to the potential difference between the two battery terminals. This causes electrons to build up on one of the plates making that one more negatively charged and the other plate more positively charged, due to the negatively charged electrons repelling the electrons on the other plate.
Eventually, all the electrical energy is stored as electrostatic potential energy in the form of an electric field in the capacitor. It stops charging once the plates have equal but opposite charges.

Answered by Physics tutor

1813 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit T² ∝ r ³ where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.


What is Newton's Third Law and what is an example of it?


What is the angular velocity of a person standing on the surface of the earth. Give your answer in radians per second


A 1kg spring has an unloaded length 10cm and has an elastic constant of 100N/m. It is compressed to 6cm then placed facing upwards on the floor. When released it travels vertically upwards. How high does it jump? You may assume no energy is lost to heat o


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning