Solving capacitor circuits? Help?

In summary, In figure 12, the capacitors have a charge of 420.8, and the combined capacitance is 2.104. In figure 13, the two capacitors have charges of 100 and 102, and the combined capacitance is 208.4.
  • #1
Grandsatsuma
5
0
Not sure If I posted this is the correct place -Im new
----
hi, I am working on a college assignment. I'm on a day release program and unfortunately I missed the day where we covered this part. Please could someone help me?The questions I need to answer are:

a) For each capacitor shown in figure 12 determine the charge, energy stored and voltage across EACH capacitor.

Figure 12 is:

200V DC series circuit with 3 capacitors C1 = 4 μF C2= 8 μF C3 = 10 μFb) (same question different diagram)

Figure 13 is:

100v rail with two capacitors in parallel.
C1 = 12 μF
C2 = 2 μFIf someone could help me out here I would be very great full, When I say help me out, I don't mean tell me the answers, more tell me how to find the answers.

Thanks

Grand
 
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  • #2
If you have 4μF, 8μF and 10μF in series do you know how to calculate the combined capacitance? (I got 0.475μF)
Can you then calculate the charge in the combination... this is tricky... charge on capacitors in series is a bit tricky... depeneds on the level you are up to
Hope this gets you going
 
  • #3
technician said:
If you have 4μF, 8μF and 10μF in series do you know how to calculate the combined capacitance? (I got 0.475μF)
Can you then calculate the charge in the combination... this is tricky... charge on capacitors in series is a bit tricky... depeneds on the level you are up to
Hope this gets you going

I know some stuff, I can sort of do parallel from some handouts I was given the week after. However, When it comes to series I run straight into a wall.
 
  • #4
sorry Grandsatsuma... something went wrong in my post... I got combined C = 2.1μF
NOT 0.475... posted before I had finished somehow !
 
  • #5
can you see how I got 2.1μF?
 
  • #6
technician said:
can you see how I got 2.1μF?

I think I can, I did product over sum and got 2.1052
 
  • #7
For capacitors in series the combined capacitance is given by 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3...
Check that it gives 2.1μF...
The voltage is 200V so can you calculate the charge on the combined capacitance?...this s easy.
Now can you calculate the charge on each capacitance . There is a formula for this but. You may find it tricky to sort out...this s one of the trickiest things to understand about capacitors.
Ibwill get back to you.
 
  • #8
I managed to workout that the overall charge is 420.8 and the combined capacitance is 2.104

How would I work out the individual charge, voltage across and energy stored for each capacitor?
 

FAQ: Solving capacitor circuits? Help?

How do I calculate the capacitance of a capacitor in a circuit?

The capacitance of a capacitor can be calculated by dividing the charge stored on the capacitor by the voltage across it. This can be represented by the equation C = Q/V, where C is the capacitance in Farads (F), Q is the charge in Coulombs (C), and V is the voltage in Volts (V).

What is the difference between series and parallel capacitors in a circuit?

In a series circuit, the capacitors are connected in a line, with the positive terminal of one capacitor connected to the negative terminal of the next. In a parallel circuit, the capacitors are connected side by side, with their positive terminals connected together and their negative terminals connected together. The main difference is in the way they store and release charge, which affects the overall capacitance and voltage in the circuit.

How do I calculate the total capacitance of capacitors in a series circuit?

The total capacitance of capacitors in a series circuit can be calculated by adding the inverse of each individual capacitance and then taking the inverse of the sum. This can be represented by the equation 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + ... , where Ctotal is the total capacitance and C1, C2, C3, etc. are the individual capacitances.

How do I calculate the total capacitance of capacitors in a parallel circuit?

The total capacitance of capacitors in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of all the individual capacitances. This can be represented by the equation Ctotal = C1 + C2 + C3 + ..., where Ctotal is the total capacitance and C1, C2, C3, etc. are the individual capacitances.

How do I analyze a complex circuit with multiple capacitors?

To analyze a complex circuit with multiple capacitors, you can break it down into smaller sections and use the equations for series and parallel capacitors to calculate the total capacitance and voltage in each section. Then, you can combine the results to analyze the circuit as a whole. It may also be helpful to use a circuit simulator or draw a schematic diagram to better visualize the circuit.

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