Question

The freshness of fish can be measured by placing a fish between the plates of a capacitor and measuring the capacitance. How does this work? (Hint: As time passes, the fish dries out. See Table )

Short answer

As the fish dries out, the capacitance of the capacitor decreases due to less water.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of capacitance

The capacity of a component or circuit to gather and retain energy in the form of an electrical charge is known as capacitance.

Explanation for measuring the freshness of fish

Fresh fish contains more water. Water is a dielectric material, and the capacitance of the capacitor increases as the dielectric material is inserted between the two plates.

$\mathrm{C}={\mathrm{KC}}_0$

Where $C$and $C_0$are the capacitance after dielectric and before the dielectric respectively.

As the fish dries out, this means water decreases, hence the capacitance decreases. So, more capacitance indicates the freshness of fish.

Thus, as the fish dries out, the capacitance of the capacitor decreases due to less water.