What is the mistake in my series capacitors homework?

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving capacitance and voltage. The equation Vtotal = V1 + V2/2 + V3/3 is presented, but it is later determined to be incorrect. The correct equation is V = q/c + q/2c + q/3c, which simplifies to V = (11/6)q/c. This is explained by the fact that the capacitors are connected in series, resulting in an effective capacitance of 11/6 times the individual capacitance.
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  • #2
V = q/c
so v = q/c + q/2c + q/3c
q/c(1+1/2+1/3)
q/c (11/6)
hope this helps
 
  • #3
So total V is (11/6)q/c ? Can you explain how that is V1?
 
  • #4
Instinctlol said:
So total V is (11/6)q/c ? Can you explain how that is V1?
I can't get you. Actually is 11/6 times the V
 
  • #5
Capacitors are connected in series. So the effective capacitance is
1/Cs = 1/C + 1/2C + 1/3C
= 11/6C
Cs = 6C/11
Now substitute this value for C for the equation V = 11/6(Q/C) you ll get Q/C which is nothing but V or V1
Hope you got it now
 

1. What are capacitors in series?

Capacitors in series are a type of electrical circuit configuration where multiple capacitors are connected one after another, forming a single path for current to flow through. In this configuration, the negative terminal of one capacitor is connected to the positive terminal of the next capacitor, and so on.

2. How do you calculate the total capacitance of capacitors in series?

To calculate the total capacitance of capacitors in series, you can use the formula: 1/C(total) = 1/C(1) + 1/C(2) + 1/C(3) + ... where C(total) is the total capacitance and C(1), C(2), C(3), etc. are the individual capacitances of each capacitor. This formula shows that the total capacitance is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each individual capacitance.

3. What is the effect of connecting capacitors in series?

Connecting capacitors in series increases the total capacitance of the circuit. This is because the effective distance between the plates of the capacitors is increased, resulting in a larger area for the electric field to build up. As a result, the total capacitance of the circuit is increased.

4. Can capacitors in series hold more charge than a single capacitor?

No, the total charge stored in capacitors in series is the same as the charge stored in a single capacitor. This is because when capacitors are connected in series, the same amount of charge flows through each capacitor, and the total charge is divided among them.

5. What is the purpose of using capacitors in series?

Capacitors in series are often used to increase the total capacitance in a circuit, which can be useful in various applications such as filtering, energy storage, and smoothing of power supply. They can also be used to divide the voltage in a circuit, as the voltage across each capacitor in series is proportional to its capacitance.

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