Capacitors C₁ and C₂ are connected in parallel and a potential difference is applied to the combination.If the capacitor that is equivalent to the combination has the same potential difference, then the charge on the equivalent capacitor is the same as: A)the charge on C₁ B)the sum of the charges on C₁ and C₂ C)the difference of the charges on C₁ and C₂ D)the product of the charges on C₁ and C₂ E)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the potential difference across each capacitor is the same. Therefore, the charge on each capacitor is given by Q = CV, where C is the capacitance and V is the potential difference. For the equivalent capacitor, the capacitance is given by Ceq = C1 + C2, where C1 and C2 are the capacitances of the individual capacitors. Therefore, the total charge on the equivalent capacitor is Qeq = Ceq * V = (C1 + C2) * V = C1 * V + C2 * V, which is equal to the sum of the charges on the individual capacitors.

Capacitors C1 and C2 Are Connected in Parallel and a Potential

Capacitors C₁ and C₂ Are Connected in Parallel and a Potential