Excess charge in capacitors connected in series

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of excess charge in capacitor plates. It is observed that when two identical capacitors are charged and connected in series, the voltage on the open ends doubles. It is also mentioned that a single capacitor has excess charge on both plates, with one plate having excess electrons and the other having an excess of positive charge. When the two capacitors are connected, there is no current flow and the inner plates should have no excess charge. However, the discussion ends with a question about what happens to the excess charge on the inner plates and suggests searching for information on inserting metal into a parallel plate capacitor for further understanding.
  • #1
Maciej Orman
I have a hard time comprehending excess charge in capacitor plates.
Let's say we have two identical capacitor and we charged them to identical amount of charge.
Next we connect them in series by opposite sign electrodes and we get double the voltage on the open ends.
Now a single capacitor has excess charge on both plates in which one has excess electrons and the other excess of positive charge which originate from protons in nucleus.
When connecting those two capacitors one electrode has excess of electrons and the other excess of positive charges yet no current flows up on connection. Also now we have two inner plates connected and there should be no excess charge on them since it is now one single pierce of conductive material...
What really happens up on connecting of the two inner plates of charged capacitors and is there an excess of charge on them?
 
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  • #2
Maybe, it will be helpful for an understanding when you search for something similar to “inserting metal into parallel plate capacitor”.
 
  • #3
Yes, I got it there are both positive and negative charges in equal amount displaced symmetrically by the fields in dielectric materials...
Sorry about lame post...
 

1. What is excess charge in capacitors connected in series?

Excess charge in capacitors connected in series refers to the amount of charge that is stored on the plates of the capacitors beyond their maximum capacity. This can happen when capacitors are connected in series and one or more of the capacitors have a higher capacitance value than the others.

2. How does excess charge affect the overall capacitance of the series circuit?

Excess charge can decrease the overall capacitance of a series circuit. This is because the excess charge on one capacitor can repel the charges on the other capacitors, reducing the effective capacitance of the circuit.

3. Can excess charge cause damage to the capacitors or other components in the circuit?

Yes, excess charge can cause damage to the capacitors or other components in the circuit. This can happen if the excess charge causes the capacitance of the capacitors to exceed their maximum rating, leading to overheating and potential failure.

4. How can excess charge be prevented in series capacitor circuits?

To prevent excess charge in series capacitor circuits, it is important to use capacitors with the same or similar capacitance values. Additionally, using a resistor in parallel with each capacitor can help to evenly distribute the charge and prevent excess charge from building up.

5. What are the implications of excess charge in series capacitor circuits for their applications?

The presence of excess charge in series capacitor circuits can lead to unexpected behavior and potentially damage the circuit. It is important to carefully consider the capacitance values and design the circuit accordingly to avoid excess charge. In certain applications, such as in power supplies, excess charge can also cause fluctuations in the output voltage.

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