Potential difference in capacitor help

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the charge and potential difference across capacitors C1, C2, and C3 after a switch is flipped from position A to position B. The initial conditions state that C2 and C3 are uncharged, while C1 has a capacitance of 15 µF and is charged to 100 V. The charge on C1 is calculated as Q = C1V = 1.5 mC. The equivalent capacitance of C2 and C3, both at 30 µF and in series, is determined to be 15 µF. The potential difference across the capacitors after switching is derived using the formula V = (C1V1 + 0)/(C1 + C2).

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rayhan619
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Homework Statement



Initially, the switch in the figure is in position A and capacitors C_2 and C_3 are uncharged. Then the switch is flipped to position B. (Figure attached)
a) Afterward, what is the charge on C_1 capacitor?
b) Afterward, what is the potential difference across C_1 capacitor?
c) Afterward, what is the charge on C_2 capacitor?
d) Afterward, what is the potential difference across C_2 capacitor?
e) Afterward, what is the charge on C_3 capacitor?
f) Afterward, what is the potential difference across C_3 capacitor?

Homework Equations



V= IR

The Attempt at a Solution



How do I start this problem?
 
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rayhan619 said:
... (Figure attached)
... How do I start this problem?

This would be a start.
 


and here is the figure...
 

Attachments

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    1.jpg
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So what do you think is going to happen?

What is the equivalent capacitance of the additional capacitors that are not initially connected?
 


we know C = Q/V
V = 100 V
C1 = 15*10^-6 F
so Q = C1V = 100 V(15*10^-6 F) = 1.5*10^-3 C

C2 and C3 is in series. so 1/C = (1/C2 + 1/C3) = (1/30*10^-6)+(1/30*10^-6) = 66666.67
so C = 1.5*10^-5

would the Q be same after switching to point b? If yes, then we can figure out V using above equation.
 


rayhan619 said:
we know C = Q/V
V = 100 V
C1 = 15*10^-6 F
so Q = C1V = 100 V(15*10^-6 F) = 1.5*10^-3 C

C2 and C3 is in series. so 1/C = (1/C2 + 1/C3) = (1/30*10^-6)+(1/30*10^-6) = 66666.67
so C = 1.5*10^-5

would the Q be same after switching to point b? If yes, then we can figure out V using above equation.

When the connection is broken then there is a fixed charge on the C1. When the switch connects to C2 and C3 then the charge will be shared according to what the equivalent capacitance for all 3 of them.

C2 and C3 = 2*C1

C2 and C3 equivalent C = C1

When you put them in || you have then C1 + C1 = 2 C1

Q = V*C

So with the new C = 2*old C and charge the same, then Vnew = 1/2*Vold
 


there are like 6 parts of this problem.
so for part a)
C = Q/V
V = 100 V
C1 = 15*10^-6 F
so Q = C1V = 100 V(15*10^-6 F) = 1.5*10^-3 C
and how do I get the potential difference?
 


When uncharged capacitors are connected to the charged capacitors the common potential difference is given by V = (C1V1 + o)/(C1 + C2)
 

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