Increasing the capacitance of a filter capacitor will affect the ripple amplitude how?

Increasing the capacitance of a filter capacitor will decrease the ripple amplitude in a power supply circuit, which is a critical factor in maintaining a steady voltage output. The ripple in a power supply refers to the residual periodic variation in the DC output voltage after it has been filtered from the AC component.

When the capacitance is increased, the capacitor is able to store more charge. This larger reservoir of charge can better supply the load during periods when it is drawing current, which reduces the voltage variations seen at the output. Essentially, a larger capacitance provides greater smoothing effect as it can release its stored energy more effectively to counteract the fluctuations in current demand, thereby leading to a lower ripple voltage.

In practical terms, as the load demands change, the increased capacitance results in less significant drops in voltage between the peaks of the input waveform. This is why increasing the capacitance is effective in minimizing ripple amplitude, providing a more stable DC voltage suitable for sensitive electronic devices.