Capacitor Circuit: Equivalent Capacitance & Charge

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the equivalent capacitance of a capacitor circuit and determining the charge on a specific capacitor. The subject area is electrical circuits, specifically focusing on capacitors in series and parallel configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the identification of series and parallel combinations of capacitors. There is an attempt to simplify the circuit by combining capacitors C2 and C3, and questions arise regarding the correct interpretation of their configuration relative to C1.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the simplification of the circuit, while others have pointed out potential misunderstandings regarding the arrangement of the capacitors. Multiple interpretations of the equivalent capacitance calculation are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of specific capacitor values and the need to clarify the arrangement of capacitors in the circuit, which may affect the calculations. The original poster has not provided a visual representation of the circuit, which could be relevant for understanding the problem.

elleeyeesay03
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Homework Statement



For the capacitor circuit shown below:
A. Find the equivalent capacitance
B. What is the charge on the 3\muF capacitor?

Homework Equations



Q= C\DeltaV

Parallel= C1 +C2+C3
Series= (1/C)=(1/C1)+(1/C2)+(1/C3)

C1= 8\muF
C2= 5\muF
C3= 3\muF

The Attempt at a Solution



:confused:
 

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Hi elleeyeesay03, welcome to Physics Forums.

Have you made any attempt to simplify the circuit? Can you identify any serial or parallel combinations of capacitors?
 
C2 & C3 are in parallel so they would be equal to 8uf by adding 3uf + 5uf. You will then consider that once capacitor and take it in parallel with C1. Having to 8uf capacitors in parallel would yield you an equivalent of 4uf as the current would be splitting between the two.
 
engineertech0 said:
C2 & C3 are in parallel so they would be equal to 8uf by adding 3uf + 5uf. You will then consider that once capacitor and take it in parallel with C1. Having to 8uf capacitors in parallel would yield you an equivalent of 4uf as the current would be splitting between the two.

While C2 and C3 are in parallel, yielding an 8μF equivalent, the resulting equivalent capacitance is in SERIES with C1, not in parallel with it. The net equivalent capacitance is indeed 4μF though, as you stated.
 

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