FIGURE 24-9
-In Fig. 24-9, three capacitors with capacitances C₁ = 4 μF, C₂ = 3μF, and C₃ = 2 μF, are connected to a battery of voltage V = 12 V. What is the charge on capacitor C₂ ?

Question

FIGURE 24-9 -In Fig. 24-9, three capacitors with capacitances C₁ = 4 μF, C₂ = 3μF, and C₃ = 2 μF, are connected to a battery of voltage V = 12 V. What is the charge on capacitor C₂ ?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The charge on a capacitor in a series circuit is the same for all capacitors. First, find the equivalent capacitance of the series combination: 1/C_eq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 = 1/4 + 1/3 + 1/2 = 1/12. The equivalent capacitance C_eq = 12/13 μF. The total charge Q = C_eq * V = (12/13) * 12 = 16 μC. Since the charge is the same across all capacitors in series, the charge on C2 is 16 μC.

FIGURE 24-9 -In Fig. 24-9, Three Capacitors with Capacitances C1 = 4

FIGURE 24-9 -In Fig. 24-9, Three Capacitors with Capacitances C₁ = 4