Capacitor Charge and Voltage Distribution in a Circuit with Multiple Capacitors

In summary, the conversation discusses the behavior of capacitors in a circuit with a switch and a battery. It is determined that the switch flip does not affect the voltage and charge on C_1, but it does affect the other two capacitors. Kirchoff's rules can be used to analyze the circuit and find the steady charge and voltage on C_2 and C_3.
  • #1
awvvu
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1

Homework Statement


http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6864/59797183jd5.png [Broken]

(capacitance in micro farads).

Initially the switch is at the left position and capacitors C_2 and C_3 are uncharged. Then the switch is flipped to the right position. Afterward, what are the chard on and the potential difference across each capacitor?

The Attempt at a Solution



First I turned C_2 and C_3 into a capacitor with equivalent capacitance 12 uF.

Before the switch flip, C_1 is charged to 100V and has 1.5 mC of charge. I'm not sure what happens after the switch flips though. Does C_1 still affect the circuit? If not, then its charge and voltage won't change from before it flipped. And then the voltage and charge on C_2 and C_3 are completely unaffected by the presence of C_1?
 
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  • #2
Since the switch is flipped to the right, the circuit loop doesn't connect to both terminals of the battery, so what you could do is ignore the battery in the system. I'm thinking that C1 does affect the other 2 capacitors, in which it provides a current to the capacitors for a short interval of time. At some point, the current should approach 0 effectively enough and the capacitors should approach some steady charge and voltage. What you could use is Kirchoff's rules for the particular loop of C1, C2, and C3, in which you come up with an arbitrary current and set the net voltage along the loop to 0V.
 
  • #3
Oh I didn't even notice that the battery wouldn't connect to the other two capacitors... doh!
 

1. What is a capacitor?

A capacitor is an electronic component that is used to store and release electrical energy in a circuit. It is made up of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material, known as a dielectric.

2. How does a capacitor work?

When a voltage is applied to a capacitor, one plate becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. This creates an electric field between the plates, which stores the electrical energy. When the capacitor is connected in a circuit, it can release this stored energy to provide a burst of power.

3. What are the different types of capacitors?

There are several types of capacitors, including ceramic, electrolytic, film, and variable capacitors. Each type has different properties and is suitable for different applications. For example, ceramic capacitors are small and inexpensive, while electrolytic capacitors have a higher capacitance and can store more energy.

4. How do I calculate the capacitance of a capacitor?

The capacitance of a capacitor is determined by the area of the plates, the distance between the plates, and the type of dielectric material used. The formula for calculating capacitance is C = εA/d, where C is the capacitance, ε is the permittivity of the dielectric material, A is the area of the plates, and d is the distance between the plates.

5. What are some common uses of capacitors in circuits?

Capacitors have a wide range of uses in electronic circuits. They can be used to filter out unwanted frequencies, stabilize voltage levels, and store energy for power backup. They are also commonly used in timing circuits, noise suppression, and as coupling and decoupling components in amplifiers.

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