A 2-$\mu$F and a 1-$\mu$F capacitor are connected in series and a potential difference is applied across the combination.The 2-$\mu$F capacitor has:
A)twice the charge of the 1-$\mu$F capacitor
B)half the charge of the 1-$\mu$F capacitor
C)twice the potential difference of the 1-$\mu$F capacitor
D)half the potential difference of the 1-$\mu$F capacitor
E)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When capacitors are connected in series, the charge on each capacitor will be the same. However, the voltage across each capacitor will be different and is inversely proportional to the capacitance. Therefore, the capacitor with smaller capacitance will have a higher voltage than the capacitor with larger capacitance. In this case, the 1-F1F1F1S1F1F1F10F capacitor has smaller capacitance and will have a higher voltage than the 2-F1F1F1S1F1F1F10F capacitor. So, the 2-F1F1F1S1F1F1F10F capacitor will have half the potential difference of the 1-F1F1F1S1F1F1F10F capacitor.

A 2- μ\muμ F and a 1- μ\muμ F Capacitor Are Connected in Series and a Potential Difference

A 2- $\mu$ F and a 1- $\mu$ F Capacitor Are Connected in Series and a Potential Difference