Question
Explain the process of leakage of electric charge.

Answer

Capacitance $C =\frac{ Q }{ V }$
The above equation shows that to get a larger value of $C$, for the given value of charge $Q$, value of electric potential should be smaller.
This means that a capacitor with a larger capacitance can store large quantity of electric charge for a comparatively smaller electric potential V. But if the p.d. is more, then the electric field in the surrounding region of the conductor is strong.
If the air molecules in the surrounding region can be ionized using this strong electric field, the electric charges created by it do motion (/ accelerated motion) towards the capacitor plate, thereby neutralizeing the charge on the capacitor plates.
Therefore, the charge of the capacitor leaks away due to the reduction in insulating power of the intervening medium.

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