What factor affects the capacity of a condenser to hold a charge?

The capacity of a condenser, or capacitor, to hold a charge is fundamentally defined by its ability to store electric energy, which is primarily influenced by the physical characteristics of its structure, particularly the size of the plates.

Larger plates have a greater surface area, which allows for more charge to be stored. This is because the amount of charge a capacitor can hold is directly proportional to the area of its plates. Essentially, the greater the surface area, the more electrons can accumulate on the plates, leading to a higher capacitance.

While other factors can influence the performance and behavior of a capacitor, such as the material of the plates and the voltage applied, they do not directly affect the intrinsic ability of the capacitor to hold charge in the way that the size of the plates does. The dielectric material between the plates and the voltage does play a role in the overall performance and efficiency of the capacitor but are secondary considerations compared to the fundamental geometric property of the plate size. Thus, the size of the plates is the critical factor in determining the capacity of a condenser to hold a charge.