Finding charge on a capacitor given potential difference across two points

In summary, for part (b) of the problem, the solution involves finding the voltage across the upper equivalent capacitor and using it to calculate the charge stored by C3. The charge on the upper group of capacitors is equal to the total charge, and the same charge is on the lower group, since they are in series. The notation for the upper equivalent capacitors is labeled as Q total.
  • #1
ChiralSuperfields
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Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this part(b) of this problem,
1675993341801.png


The solution is
1675993422576.png

However, I tried solving (b) like this:

Since ##Q_{total} = 363 \times 10^{-6} C## then ##Q_1 = 181.5 \times 10^{-6} C ## since the equivalent upper capacitor is in series with the equivalent bottom capacitor so should store the same amount of charge.

Since ##C_{upper} = 8.67 \times 10^{-6} C## then voltage across upper equivalent capacitor is ##\frac {181.5}{8.67} = 21V ## then charged stored by ##C_3## is ##Q_3 = 2 \times 10^{6} \times 21 = 4.2 \times 10^{-5} ##

I don't understand why they use the total charge for the upper capacitors when they only store half the charge.
Many thanks!
 
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  • #2
What do you label as Q1?
 
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  • #3
nasu said:
What do you label as Q1?
Thank you for your reply @nasu!

I'm not sure, just some notation for the upper equivalent capacitors charge.
 
  • #4
Then this is already labeled as Q total. This is the charge on the upper group of capacitors. And the same charge is on the lower group, which is in series with the upper group.
.
 
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  • #5
nasu said:
Then this is already labeled as Q total. This is the charge on the upper group of capacitors. And the same charge is on the lower group, which is in series with the upper group.
.
Thank you for your reply @nasu! I forgot capacitor in series have the same charge!
 

1. How is the charge on a capacitor related to the potential difference across two points?

The charge on a capacitor is directly proportional to the potential difference across two points. This means that as the potential difference increases, the charge on the capacitor also increases.

2. What is the formula for finding the charge on a capacitor given the potential difference?

The formula for finding the charge on a capacitor is Q = CV, where Q is the charge, C is the capacitance, and V is the potential difference.

3. Can the charge on a capacitor be negative?

No, the charge on a capacitor cannot be negative. It is always positive and is measured in coulombs (C).

4. How does the capacitance affect the charge on a capacitor?

The capacitance is a measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge. A higher capacitance means that the capacitor can hold more charge for a given potential difference.

5. What are the units for potential difference and charge on a capacitor?

Potential difference is measured in volts (V) and charge on a capacitor is measured in coulombs (C).

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