Charge on Capacitor C1 & C2: Calculation & Solution

In summary, the problem involves two parallel plate capacitors connected in series with a battery and a resistor. One capacitor has air between its plates and the other has porcelain. The task is to find the charge on each capacitor after a long time has passed. By using the formula for capacitance and the concept of combining capacitors in series, the charge on each capacitor can be calculated. The final answer for the charge on capacitor C1 is 1.06e-9 and the charge on capacitor C2 can be found by using the formula for capacitance with a dielectric material.
  • #1
yjk91
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Homework Statement



Two parallel plate capacitors, C1 and C2, are connected in series with a 65-V battery and a 500-kΩ resistor, as shown in the figure. Both capacitors have plates with an area of 2.1 cm2 and a separation of 0.1 mm. Capacitor C1 has air between its plates, and capacitor C2 has the gap filled with porcelain (dielectric constant of 7 and dielectric strength of 5.7 kV/mm). The switch is closed, and a long time passes.

http://www.webassign.net/bauerphys1/26-p-046.gif

(a) What is the charge on capacitor C1?

(b) What is the charge on capacitor C2?


The Attempt at a Solution



(a) What is the charge on capacitor C1?

C = E0 * A / d

q = C delta V

C = (8.85 * 10^-12 * 2.1 cm^2 / 10000) ( to change it 2.1 cm^2 to m^2) / 0.0001m)

q = C delta V
= 1.8585e-11 * 65V = 1.21 e -9

the answer is 1.06e-9

where did i go wrong?


(b) What is the charge on capacitor C2?

i used C = (E0 L^2 / (2d)) (1+k) and it didn't work
any hints?
 
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  • #2
The capacitors are in series, so they can't both have the full 65V -- that would total 130 V.

Have you learned how to combine capacitors in series or in parallel to find the effective total capacitance?
 
  • #3
ya i got it thx
 

1. How do you calculate the charge on capacitor C1 & C2?

The charge on a capacitor (C) can be calculated using the equation Q = CV, where Q is the charge in coulombs, C is the capacitance in farads, and V is the voltage across the capacitor in volts. To calculate the charge on C1 & C2, simply plug in the values for their respective capacitances and voltages.

2. What is the unit of measurement for the charge on capacitors C1 & C2?

The unit of measurement for charge is coulombs (C). This is a unit of electric charge that is equivalent to the amount of charge that passes through a conductor in one second when there is a constant current of one ampere.

3. Can the charge on capacitor C1 & C2 be negative?

Yes, the charge on a capacitor can be either positive or negative. This is because the charge on a capacitor is determined by the type of current and the direction in which it is flowing.

4. How do you solve for the charge on capacitors C1 & C2 in a series circuit?

To solve for the charge on capacitors C1 & C2 in a series circuit, you can use the equation Q = Q1 + Q2, where Q is the total charge on the capacitors and Q1 and Q2 are the charges on C1 and C2, respectively. This equation assumes that the capacitors are connected in series, meaning that they share the same amount of charge.

5. How does the charge on capacitor C1 & C2 affect the overall capacitance of the circuit?

The charge on capacitors C1 & C2 does not affect the overall capacitance of the circuit. The capacitance of a circuit is determined by the physical properties of the capacitors, such as their size and distance between the plates. The charge on the capacitors only affects the voltage across the capacitors and the energy stored in the circuit.

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