Capacitor Charge Equality in Parallel and Series Configuration

AI Thread Summary
In a circuit with four capacitors, where three are in parallel and one is in series with one of the parallel capacitors, the charge on the series capacitors (Cc and Cd) will be the same due to the nature of charge flow. The charge on the parallel capacitors (Ca and Cb) can differ unless they have the same capacitance. To find the charge on any capacitor, the formula Q = CV can be applied, considering the potential difference across each capacitor. The total voltage across Cc and Cd must equal the sum of their individual voltages. Understanding the capacitance values allows for the calculation of voltage across each capacitor in the configuration.
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Hi. If I had 4 capacitors and three were in parallel while the last one was in series with on of the parallel ones would the charge on the c and d capacitors be the same?
Capacitors Cc and Cd are in series while being in parallel with Ca and Cb.
 
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If you know the potential difference between the two ends of the capacitors, I'm fairly certain that you can simply use Q = CV to find the charge on the capacitor plates. This would imply that the charge would not be the same, except when the capacitors have the same capacitance.
 
The charge on Cc and Cd must be the same because the charged particles leave Cc's right plate also enter Cd's left plate. If you know the capacitance of Cc and Cd, you know the potentials on each capacitor.
Q=CV ==> Vc=Q/Cc; Vd=Q/Cd and Vc+Vd = V
From that you can find Vc,d via Cc, Cd or vice versa.
 
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