Finding charge/capacitance.

  • Thread starter ma3088
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In summary, the conversation discusses the solution to a problem involving four capacitors connected in a circuit. The equivalent capacitance between two points is found to be 6.54μF. The charges on the 24.0 μF and 7.00 μF capacitors are calculated to be 108 μF and 84.0 μF, respectively. However, there are discrepancies in the calculations for the 2.00 μF and 14.0 μF capacitors, and the person asks for help in solving these parts.
  • #1
ma3088
4
0

Homework Statement



Four capacitors are connected as shown in the figure below:
2930121411_c18fe7cb68_o.png


The Attempt at a Solution



(a) Find the equivalent capacitance between points a and b.
I found it to be 6.54μF.

(b) If ΔVab = 16.5 V calculate the charge on the the 24.0 μF capacitor.
108 μF (correct)

(c) If ΔVab = 16.5 V calculate the charge on the the 7.00 μF capacitor.
84.0 μF (correct)

(d) If ΔVab = 16.5 V calculate the charge on the the 2.00 μF capacitor.
I got 24.0 but its not correct.

(e) If ΔVab = 16.5 V calculate the charge on the the capacitor C, which equals 14.0 μF.
Likewise here.

Any help on parts d and e is appreciated.
 
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  • #2
You should start by checking your calculations for part(a); I get a slightly different answer than you. If you show me your work, I can show you where you went wrong.
 
  • #3


I would like to provide some clarification and guidance on your attempts at solving this problem.

Firstly, it is important to note that capacitance is a measure of an object's ability to store electric charge. It is measured in farads (F) and is dependent on the physical characteristics of the object, such as its size and material.

In order to find the equivalent capacitance between points a and b, you correctly used the formula for capacitors in series, which states that the inverse of the equivalent capacitance is equal to the sum of the inverses of the individual capacitances. However, it is important to double check your calculations to ensure accuracy.

For part (b), you correctly used the formula Q = CV to find the charge on the 24.0 μF capacitor. However, it is important to note that the voltage drop across each capacitor is not the same in a series circuit. Therefore, the voltage drop across the 24.0 μF capacitor may not necessarily be 16.5 V. It is important to use the correct voltage drop in your calculations.

Similarly, for part (c), you correctly used the formula Q = CV to find the charge on the 7.00 μF capacitor. However, it is important to ensure that you are using the correct voltage drop of 16.5 V.

For parts (d) and (e), it seems that you may have made a calculation error. It is important to carefully recheck your calculations and ensure that you are using the correct voltage drop for each capacitor.

As a final note, it is always helpful to show your work and explain your thought process when solving problems. This allows for others to better understand your approach and provide more specific feedback. Keep up the good work!
 

What is charge and how is it measured?

Charge is a fundamental property of matter that describes the amount of electrical energy present in an object. It is measured in units called coulombs (C) using a device called an electrometer.

How is charge created or transferred between objects?

Charge can be created by rubbing two materials together, such as with a balloon and hair, or by transferring electrons between objects through contact or induction.

What is capacitance and how is it related to charge?

Capacitance is a measure of an object's ability to store electrical charge. It is directly related to the amount of charge that can be stored on an object, with a higher capacitance allowing for a greater amount of charge storage.

What factors affect the capacitance of an object?

The capacitance of an object is affected by its size and shape, the distance between conductors, and the type of material used. A larger surface area, closer distance, and higher permittivity material will result in a higher capacitance.

How is capacitance measured and calculated?

Capacitance can be measured using a device called a capacitance meter. It can also be calculated by dividing the amount of charge stored on an object by the voltage across it, or by multiplying the permittivity of the material by the area of the conductors divided by the distance between them.

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