Potential Difference V_ad: Solving with Switch S Closed

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Homework Statement


The capacitors in the Figure are initially uncharged and are connected, as in the diagram, with switch S open. The applied potential difference is V_ab = + 210V

What is the potential difference V_ad after switch S is closed?

Homework Equations


Q=C_eq*V
V_ab=Q/C

The Attempt at a Solution


I really have no idea how to get started doing this problem. The first part of the problem asked "What is the potential difference V_cd?" This I found easy but once you close the switch I'm not sure how to approach the problem. Specifically how do you go about combining the capacitors to get a C_eq. Thanks for any help.
 

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Hi Black Armadillo! :smile:

Hint: the potential at c and d is the same, so draw the diagram again without the line cd, with the points c and d the same. :wink:
 
To solve this, I first used the units to work out that a= m* a/m, i.e. t=z/λ. This would allow you to determine the time duration within an interval section by section and then add this to the previous ones to obtain the age of the respective layer. However, this would require a constant thickness per year for each interval. However, since this is most likely not the case, my next consideration was that the age must be the integral of a 1/λ(z) function, which I cannot model.
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