Calculating Energy Stored in Series and Parallel Capacitor Circuits

In summary, the problem involves a 10 volt battery and two separate circuits with capacitors, one in series and one in parallel. The capacitance values are 5.3 microfarads and 2.4 microfarads. To find the energy stored, the equation energy = (Q^2)/(2C) is used. When capacitors are in series, the equivalent capacitor has the same charge as each individual capacitor. When capacitors are in parallel, the charge on the equivalent capacitor is the sum of the charges on each individual capacitor. For the series capacitor, the total charge is equal to the charge on each capacitor, while for the parallel capacitor, the total charge is the sum of the charges on each individual capacitor
  • #1
boogiebear
3
0

Homework Statement


you have a 10 volt battery and two separate circuits with capacitors. One circuit has the capacitors in series, the other has the capacitors in parallel. Find the energy stored

one capacitor is 5.3 microfarads
the other capacitor is 2.4 microfarads

Homework Equations


energy = (Q^2)/(2C)


The Attempt at a Solution


after finding the equivalent capacitance, would you just add the total amount of charge stored on each capacitor to find charge?
 
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  • #2
tough to say without the picture...

if two capacitors are in series, then each capacitor has the same charge... and the equivalent capacitor has that same charge...

if two capacitors are in parallel, then the charge on the equiv. capacitance is the sum of the charges on each capacitor.
 
  • #3
learningphysics said:
tough to say without the picture...

if two capacitors are in series, then each capacitor has the same charge... and the equivalent capacitor has that same charge...

if two capacitors are in parallel, then the charge on the equiv. capacitance is the sum of the charges on each capacitor.

so for the series capacitor, which holds the same amt charge on each capacitor, you wouldn't add the two charges on each capacitor together to get Q?
 
  • #4
boogiebear said:
so for the series capacitor, which holds the same amt charge on each capacitor, you wouldn't add the two charges on each capacitor together to get Q?

no. the total charge is the same as the charge on each capacitor. have a look at this:

http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~vawter/PhysicsNet/Topics/Capacitors/ParSeriesCap.html [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:

What is capacitance?

Capacitance is the ability of a system to store electric charge. It is measured in Farads (F) and is dependent on the geometry and materials of the system.

How is capacitance calculated?

Capacitance is calculated by dividing the amount of charge stored (Q) by the potential difference between the plates (V). This can be represented by the equation C = Q/V.

How does capacitance relate to energy stored?

The energy stored in a capacitor is directly proportional to the capacitance and the square of the potential difference between the plates. This can be represented by the equation E = 1/2 * C * V^2.

What is the unit of energy stored in a capacitor?

The unit of energy stored in a capacitor is Joules (J). However, in some cases, the unit of electron volts (eV) may also be used.

What factors affect the energy stored in a capacitor?

The energy stored in a capacitor is affected by the capacitance, potential difference between the plates, and the type of material used. Additionally, the distance between the plates and the dielectric material can also impact the energy stored.

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