Capacitors in Series: Voltage & Charge Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter adabistanesoophia
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Capacitors Series
AI Thread Summary
When capacitors are connected in series, the charge remains the same across each capacitor because the charge cannot flow through the gap between them, resulting in equal positive and negative charges on adjacent plates. Voltage differs among the capacitors due to their individual capacitance values, as voltage is determined by the relationship between charge (Q) and capacitance (C). In parallel configurations, the voltage remains constant while the total charge is distributed among the capacitors based on their capacitance. This distinction in behavior between series and parallel arrangements highlights the fundamental principles of capacitor operation. Understanding these concepts is crucial for effective circuit design and analysis.
adabistanesoophia
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hi,

When capacitors are connected in series then why charge remains same on each capacitor and why voltage differs on each capacitor?

Regards,

Rizwan Khalil
923214120424 :smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Charge doesn't come out of nowhere--and it doesn't flow across the gap. So the + charge on one side of capacitor 1 must be balanced by an equal - charge on the adjacent side of the capacitor 2. (The net charge on the capacitor is zero; and the net charge on the two plates connected by the wire is also zero.)

As far as voltage goes, how does voltage depend on Q and C?
 
But why Q differs in parallel combinations of capacitors?
 
In that case the voltage is the same, but the total Q is shared among all the parallel capacitors. Each gets a portion according to V and C.
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why Do Capacitors Behave Differently in Series and Parallel Configurations?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Why can we model spherical capacitor with two dielectrics as two capacitors in series?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Finding charge on a capacitor given potential difference across two points
Replies
4
Views
2K
Questions about a capacitor with 4 parallel plates
Replies
14
Views
1K
Final Charge of a Capacitor in a Circuit with Capacitors and Resistors
Replies
9
Views
2K
Why Capacitors in Parallels vs. Series: Coaxial Capacitor Case
Replies
2
Views
2K
Finding Current in Resistors & Charge of Capacitor
Replies
4
Views
2K
Redistribution of Pre-Charged Capacitors
Replies
11
Views
3K
Material between capacitor plates - viewed as two capacitors in series
Replies
3
Views
1K
Uncharged capacitors connected in series
Replies
18
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top