Question

part a what property of objects is best measured by their capacitance? the ability to conduct electric current the ability to distort an external electrostatic field the ability to store charge part b consider an air - filled charged capacitor. how can its capacitance be increased? increase the charge on the capacitor. decrease the charge on the capacitor. increase the spacing between the plates of the capacitor. decrease the spacing between the plates of the capacitor. increase the length of the wires leading to the capacitor plates.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall capacitance definition

Capacitance is the ability to store charge.

Step2: Recall parallel - plate capacitor formula

The formula for the capacitance of a parallel - plate capacitor is $C=\frac{\epsilon_0A}{d}$, where $\epsilon_0$ is the permittivity of free space, $A$ is the area of the plates, and $d$ is the distance between the plates.

Step3: Analyze ways to increase capacitance

From the formula $C=\frac{\epsilon_0A}{d}$, we can see that decreasing the spacing $d$ between the plates of the capacitor will increase the capacitance. Increasing the area of the plates (not in the options) or inserting a dielectric (not in the options) can also increase capacitance. Changing the length of wires has no effect on capacitance, and changing the charge on the capacitor only changes the voltage across it according to $Q = CV$ but not the capacitance itself.

Answer:

Part A: the ability to store charge
Part B: Decrease the spacing between the plates of the capacitor