Equivalent Capacitance question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equivalent capacitance of a circuit involving capacitors, specifically addressing the confusion regarding the arrangement of capacitors in series and parallel configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify how to identify which capacitors are in series and which are in parallel. Another participant suggests a method of combining capacitors in series first before treating the result as part of a parallel configuration.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in a constructive dialogue, with one confirming understanding of the proposed approach. There is an exploration of different interpretations regarding the arrangement of capacitors, but no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster references a specific answer from a textbook, indicating a possible constraint in their understanding of the problem setup.

kankerfist
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I have learned how to find equivalent capacitence when capacitors are in series and when they are in parallel, but I came across a problem where I'm confused about the capacitors:
confused.jpg

Normally I first find equivalent capacitence of parallel capacitors by adding them together. Then use the formula for finding the equivalent capacitence for capacitors in series. I am not sure exacty how to define the above capacitors though, which ones are parallel (able to be added together) and which ones are in series (inverses are able to be added together)?

The answer that my book provedes is: C eq = 6.71 picoferads

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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In this question I would find the equivalent capacitance of C1 and C2 (as they are in series) and combine them into a single capacitor (C4); and then treat it is as if C4 and C3 were two single capacitors in parallel. Does that make sense?
 
That does make sense! Thanks
 
kankerfist said:
That does make sense! Thanks
My pleasure.
 

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