What is the area of the plates of a 2 F parallel plate capacitor, given that the separation between the plates is 0.5 cm? [You will realise from your answer why ordinary capacitors are in the range of μF or less. However, electrolytic capacitors do have a much larger capacitance (0.1 F) because of very minute separation between the conductors.]

Capacitance of a parallel capacitor, V = 2 F

Distance between the two plates, d = 0.5 cm = 0.5 x 10^-2 m

Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by the relation,

C= ε_0A/d

A =Cd/ε₀

Where,

ε₀ = Permittivity of free space

Therefore A= 2x 0.5 x 10⁻²)/(8.85 x 10⁻¹²)

Therefore, A = 1130 km²

Hence, the area of the plates is too large.

To avoid this situation, the capacitance is taken in the range of μF.