How in the world did I get the right answer? I am scared

  • Thread starter Thread starter flyingpig
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a lab problem involving capacitors, specifically the charging and discharging of a capacitor (C1) and its interaction with another capacitor (C2). The original poster shares their measurements and calculations regarding the final voltages across each capacitor after connecting them in parallel, expressing confusion over the accuracy of their results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the conservation of charge in capacitors, questioning the validity of the original poster's calculations and the implications of their measurements. There is also discussion about the configuration of the circuit and the conditions under which the capacitors were connected.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants clarifying the original poster's measurements versus predictions and exploring the implications of energy loss in the circuit. Some participants have provided guidance on terminology and concepts related to energy dissipation in circuits.

Contextual Notes

There is some confusion regarding the definitions of measured versus predicted values, as well as the implications of energy loss during the capacitor discharge process. The original poster expresses concern over their understanding of the experiment and the results obtained.

  • #31
flyingpig said:
But it is also equal to the change in thermal energy yush?

It may not all be thermal (but most of it is). Some will be radiated away as electromagnetic waves, at frequencies that will depend upon the natural frequency of oscillation of the system due to inherent L, R, and C that all real stuff has, as the system 'rings down' into its final equilibrium state. There may be some mechanical strain energy in the capacitor dielectrics. Maybe some flexing of the capacitor materials when the forces between plates changes.

A complete accounting would be tedious and not trivial to accomplish. It's a lot easier to simply state that there is a loss of electrical potential energy in the system that, for all intents and purposes, has been lost to the environment.
 

Similar threads

What am I doing wrong in calculating the charge on each capacitor in a circuit?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Eletrostatics in conductors: Find the capacity
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Find Excess Charge on Capacitor 2 Given 10V Battery & 5x20µF Capacitors
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Graduate What is Kirchhoff's Current Law
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
Difference in potential energy of two charge configurations
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K