Equivalent Capacitance or Resistance and Kirchoff's rules

In summary, Equivalent Capacitance or Resistance and Kirchoff's rules are important concepts in the study of electrical circuits. Equivalent capacitance and resistance allow us to simplify complex circuits into simpler ones, making it easier to analyze and understand their behavior. Kirchoff's rules, on the other hand, are used to analyze the flow of electric current and voltage in a circuit. They state that the sum of currents entering a node must be equal to the sum of currents leaving the node, and the sum of voltage drops around a closed loop must be equal to the sum of voltage sources in that loop. These principles are crucial for understanding and designing electrical circuits.
  • #1
lookingforhlp
11
0

Homework Statement


If each capacitor is filled with a dielectric material (with constant K, kappa), what is the new equivalent RC circuit? All resistors have equal value, and capacitors have equal value (without a dielectric), C.

Homework Equations


C = (Epsilon * Area) / Distance
C with a dielectric is = KC

V=IR

Q=CV

all the resistor and capacitance equivalent equations


The Attempt at a Solution


(Please see attached image for the RC Circuit)

I guess that it's asking for the current? Not sure what "new equivalent RC circuit" means.

I need to know what this is asking before I try it...anyone have any ideas?
 

Attachments

  • RC Circuit.png
    RC Circuit.png
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  • #2
I presume that they want you to find the component values for an equivalent circuit having just one resistor and one capacitor.
 
  • #3
So just the total resistance and total capacitance?
 
  • #4
In that case Rtot = 2R and Ctot = 4K*epsilon*area/distance
 
  • #5
You're given the original capacitor values, C. You're not given area or distance. So express the resulting capacitance in terms of C.
 
  • #6
Ctot = 4KC?
 
  • #7
Sure.
 
  • #8
lookingforhlp said:
Ctot = 4KC?

Capacitors in series add up, but in parallel they actually reduce the total capacitance. The equation should be easily found in your book.

Someone please correct if I am wrong.
 
  • #9
I was pretty sure it was the other way around...let me double check
 
  • #10
Capacitors in parallel add directly.
 
  • #11
I agree
 

FAQ: Equivalent Capacitance or Resistance and Kirchoff's rules

What is equivalent capacitance?

Equivalent capacitance is the combined capacitance of two or more capacitors in a circuit. It represents the total amount of charge that can be stored in the circuit and is calculated by adding the individual capacitance values.

How do you calculate equivalent resistance?

To calculate equivalent resistance, you need to use the concept of parallel and series resistors. In parallel, the equivalent resistance is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances. In series, the equivalent resistance is the sum of the individual resistances.

What are Kirchoff's rules?

Kirchoff's rules are two principles used to analyze electrical circuits. The first rule, known as Kirchoff's Current Law, states that the sum of currents entering a junction in a circuit must equal the sum of currents leaving the junction. The second rule, known as Kirchoff's Voltage Law, states that the total voltage around a closed loop in a circuit must equal zero.

How are Kirchoff's rules used in circuit analysis?

Kirchoff's rules are used to determine the unknown values in a circuit, such as current or voltage, by applying the principles of conservation of charge and energy. By using Kirchoff's rules, we can solve for the values of the different components in a circuit and understand how they affect each other.

Can Kirchoff's rules be applied to any type of circuit?

Yes, Kirchoff's rules can be applied to any type of circuit, whether it is a simple series or parallel circuit, or a more complex circuit with multiple loops and branches. These rules are fundamental principles in circuit analysis and are applicable to any type of circuit, regardless of its complexity.

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