- #1
How to Calculate the Charge on Capacitor C5?
- Thread starter kjlchem
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around calculating the charge on capacitor C5 in a circuit with a given battery voltage of 12 V. The participants are exploring the relationships between capacitance, charge, and voltage in the context of capacitors arranged in parallel and series.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants discuss the use of equations relating charge and voltage, noting the challenge of having multiple unknowns with limited equations. There is a suggestion to find the total equivalent capacitance to simplify the problem. Questions arise about how charge distributes across capacitors in parallel and the relationship between capacitance and charge.
Discussion Status
The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the relationships among the variables involved. Some have offered guidance on calculating equivalent capacitance and charge distribution, while others express confusion about specific values and relationships, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.
Contextual Notes
Participants have identified specific capacitance values for the capacitors involved, which may influence their calculations. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity introduced by the need to determine how charge divides among capacitors with different capacitances.
- #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.