Calculate the equivalent capacitance of the circuit

In summary, the given circuit consists of four capacitors (C1 = 5.30 microF, C2 = 8.45 microF, C3 = 5.65 microF, and C4 = 8.60 microF) connected in a combination of series and parallel configurations. C3 and C4 are in series, while C2 is in parallel with the combination of C3 and C4. C1 is in series with the parallel combination of C2, C3, and C4. Using the equations for calculating equivalent capacitance in series and parallel, the total equivalent capacitance of the circuit can be found.
  • #1
arl146
343
1

Homework Statement


Calculate the equivalent capacitance of the circuit shown in the diagram above; where C1 = 5.30 microF, C2 = 8.45 microF, C3 = 5.65 microF, and C4 = 8.60 microF.

Homework Equations


parallel: Ceq = C1 + C2 + etc
series 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + etc

The Attempt at a Solution



http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/calculate-equivalent-capacitance-circuit-shown-diagram-c1-430-mu-f-c2-340-mu-f-c3-255-mu-f-q878554?frbt=1

This is the picture ^^

I tried to move it around a little and i ended up seeing that C3 and C4 are in series. And the C2 is in parallel with C34. and C1 is in series with C234. is this right?
 
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  • #2
arl146 said:
I tried to move it around a little and i ended up seeing that C3 and C4 are in series. And the C2 is in parallel with C34. and C1 is in series with C234. is this right?

You are absolutely correct. :smile:
 
  • #3
ok so i had a little help for my answer. so i don't fully understand how C2 is parallel with C34 ?? is there some way you could try to explain it?
 
  • #4
arl146 said:
ok so i had a little help for my answer. so i don't fully understand how C2 is parallel with C34 ?? is there some way you could try to explain it?

Start by making a simplified circuit of your question. It will make things clear.
 
  • #5
arl146 said:
ok so i had a little help for my answer. so i don't fully understand how C2 is parallel with C34 ?? is there some way you could try to explain it?

Keep in mind that the geometrical presentation of the circuit diagram is not important, it is the connections of the components that are important. Slanted or bent "wires" do not change their essential function: to connect the components. Feel free to straighten out the alignment of components or remove the "kinks" from wires; so long as the component interconnections remain the same, the circuit remains the same.

In the given diagram you can orient capacitor C2 vertically and remove the "kink" in the C3-C4 connection and make them vertically oriented too. Does that address your query?
 
  • #6
so the wire that C2 is on will be vertical .. any other way you can explain "remove the "kink" in the C3-C4 connection" ? i don't see how C4 can be oriented vertically
 
  • #7
arl146 said:
so the wire that C2 is on will be vertical .. any other way you can explain "remove the "kink" in the C3-C4 connection" ? i don't see how C4 can be oriented vertically

Treat all the wires as though they were elastic and can be stretched or bent at will. Can't you just grab C4 and turn it so that it becomes vertically oriented, and straightening out the C3-C4 kink at the same time?
 
  • #8
arl146 said:
so the wire that C2 is on will be vertical .. any other way you can explain "remove the "kink" in the C3-C4 connection" ? i don't see how C4 can be oriented vertically

How the wire goes or even how log the wire is doesn't matter. Wires (theoretically) are considered to be of zero resistance.

Also, to identify if the components are in series or parallel, look at the potential drop and current through then, if poential drop across two components (here C34 and C2) is same, they are in parallel. And if it isn't, they are in series.

Or in current view, if current is equal, the components are in series. And in same way If current is different, they are in parallel

This might help you ...

attachment.php?attachmentid=47900&stc=1&d=1338542196.gif
 

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FAQ: Calculate the equivalent capacitance of the circuit

1. How do you calculate the equivalent capacitance of a series circuit?

In a series circuit, the equivalent capacitance is equal to the sum of all individual capacitances. This means that you simply add together the values of each capacitor in the circuit.

2. What is the formula to calculate the equivalent capacitance of a parallel circuit?

The formula for calculating the equivalent capacitance of a parallel circuit is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each individual capacitance. This can be represented as Ceq = 1/ (1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + ...).

3. Can you use the same formula to calculate the equivalent capacitance for both series and parallel circuits?

No, the formulas for calculating equivalent capacitance for series and parallel circuits are different. In a series circuit, you simply add the values, while in a parallel circuit, you use the reciprocal formula.

4. How does the number of capacitors in a series or parallel circuit affect the equivalent capacitance?

In a series circuit, adding more capacitors will increase the equivalent capacitance, as each capacitor adds to the overall value. In a parallel circuit, adding more capacitors will decrease the equivalent capacitance, as it is calculated using the reciprocal formula.

5. What is the significance of calculating the equivalent capacitance in a circuit?

Calculating the equivalent capacitance is important because it allows you to simplify a complex circuit into a single, equivalent capacitor. This makes it easier to analyze and understand the behavior of the circuit as a whole.

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