- #1
How to Calculate the Charge on Capacitor C5?
- Thread starter kjlchem
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- #2
gneill
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Look for the total equivalent capacitance instead. Then apply your Relevant Equation to find the charge that is pushed onto that capacitance by the voltage V.kjlchem said:
- #3
kjlchem
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Great! I got that part right.
I'm confused though on how to find Q2. I know that charge adds across a parallel circuit so Q(total) = Q2 + Q4, but I don't know Q4 either.
I'm confused though on how to find Q2. I know that charge adds across a parallel circuit so Q(total) = Q2 + Q4, but I don't know Q4 either.
- #4
gneill
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kjlchem said:
Looks like more algebra will be involved
You now know the total charge Q that will be put onto the equivalent capacitance comprising C2,C3, and C4. You can work out the equivalent capacitance of C2 & C3 alone (perhaps call it C23), then determine how to divide the total charge Q across the parallel C23 and C4.
- #5
kjlchem
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Better algebra than calculus. :)
I know that C23 = 1.22F and that Q2 = Q3 = Q23
I don't see how C23 is related to Q2, except for using the relevant equation. Also, I don't think that Q total divides evenly between C23 and C4 because I've already tried that.
I know that C23 = 1.22F and that Q2 = Q3 = Q23
I don't see how C23 is related to Q2, except for using the relevant equation. Also, I don't think that Q total divides evenly between C23 and C4 because I've already tried that.
- #6
SammyS
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Do you have any capacitance values?
- #7
gneill
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kjlchem said:
The charge won't divide evenly between the two. You need to determine how the charge distributes between two parallel capacitors (same voltage across both, different capacities).
- #8
kjlchem
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Yep! C1 = C5 = 6 μF, C2 = 1.6 μF, C3 = 5.1 μF, and C4 = 4.2 μF. The battery voltage is V = 12 V.
Okay, I think I get it now.
Okay, I think I get it now.