Potential difference and charge across a capacitor

In summary, potential difference refers to the difference in electrical potential energy between two points in a circuit, while charge refers to the amount of electric charge stored on a capacitor's plates. In a capacitor, potential difference and charge are directly proportional, with the unit of potential difference being volts (V) and the unit of charge being coulombs (C). These are measured using a voltmeter and a charge meter respectively. As a capacitor charges, the potential difference and charge increase until they reach their maximum when the capacitor is fully charged, after which they remain constant.
  • #1
Jahnavi
848
102

Homework Statement


capacitor.PNG


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Apologies for the question image not being very clear . I will refer capacitors by numerical value of their capacitance .

The 6 , 4 , 8 capacitors are in parallel .

9 , 9 , 7 are shorted out .So , we can remove them from the circuit .

So , effectively , the equivalent of 6,4,8 is in series with the 36 capacitor .

One end of 6,4,8 is at 40 Volts .Other end I calculated to be at 40/3 volts.

From this I get potential difference across 8μf capacitor to be 80/3 volts and charge 640/3 μC .

I get Option 3) .

Is this correct ?
 

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  • #2
Yes.
 
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Likes Jahnavi
  • #3
cnh1995 said:
Yes.

Thanks !
 

1. What is potential difference and charge across a capacitor?

Potential difference refers to the difference in electrical potential energy between two points in a circuit. In the case of a capacitor, it is the difference in charge between the two plates of the capacitor. Charge refers to the amount of electric charge stored on the capacitor's plates.

2. How is potential difference and charge related in a capacitor?

In a capacitor, potential difference and charge are directly proportional. This means that as the potential difference increases, the charge on the capacitor also increases. Similarly, as the potential difference decreases, the charge on the capacitor decreases.

3. What is the unit of potential difference and charge across a capacitor?

The unit of potential difference is volts (V), while the unit of charge is coulombs (C).

4. How is potential difference and charge measured in a capacitor?

Potential difference is measured using a voltmeter, which is connected across the two plates of the capacitor. Charge is measured using a charge meter, which measures the amount of charge flowing through the circuit.

5. How does the potential difference and charge change over time in a charging capacitor?

In a charging capacitor, the potential difference increases as the capacitor charges, reaching its maximum when the capacitor is fully charged. At the same time, the charge on the capacitor also increases, but at a slower rate, until it reaches its maximum when the capacitor is fully charged. After that, the potential difference and charge remain constant.

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