# A capacitor is connected to a power supply and becomes fully charged. The power supply is then replaced with one of higher voltage, and the capacitor charges again to the new voltage. Explain how the charge stored and the capacitance of the capacitor change, if at all, when the voltage is increased.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.7.4 Capacitance · Explain · 5 marks

> Capacitance is defined as the charge stored per unit of potential difference. A capacitor stores charge on its plates when connected to a voltage source.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Charge stored increases when voltage increases
2. Charge is proportional to (or depends on) voltage / potential difference
3. Capacitance remains the same / does not change
4. Capacitance is a property of the capacitor itself (not the voltage applied)
5. Correct use of the relationship C = Q/V to support reasoning (e.g. both Q and V increase proportionally so C = Q/V stays the same)

## Key terms

- [capacitance](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/capacitance)
- [charge](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/charge)
- [capacitor](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/capacitor)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-capacitor-is-connected-to-a-8c5a75f4) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.