According to elementary electromagnetic theory, a parallel-plate capacitor [without dielectric
spacer] has plate charge q proportional to potential di_erence V , the constant of proportionality {`capacitance' { being given by q=V = _0A=d where A is the area of the plates, d their separation, and _0 the `permittivity of free space' (a constant). This assertion is usually justi_ed by arguing that the electric _eld E is approximately uniform between the conducting plates and much weaker elsewhere, except near the plate edges whose e_ects may be ignored.