Solving Capacitor Circuit: 3uF, 6uF, 2uF, 4uF & 90V

  • Thread starter Thread starter brittydagal
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Capacitor Circuit
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving a capacitor circuit involving capacitors of 3uF, 6uF, 2uF, and 4uF connected to a 90V source. Participants address calculation errors in determining equivalent capacitance, particularly in series configurations, emphasizing the need for inverse values. One user realizes their mistake in calculating the total capacitance for the series connection, leading to a corrected equivalent capacitance of approximately 3.3uF. They confirm that the concepts for subsequent parts of the problem are correctly understood. The conversation highlights the importance of careful calculations and unit management in capacitor circuit analysis.
brittydagal
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



the question - http://tinypic.com/r/14l37yv/6
its a little hard to see but the top left capacitor is 3 uF, the one to its right *(in series) is 6 uF, the one on the bottom left is 2 uF, the one in series with the 2uF one is 4 uF and on the bottom is 90V.

Homework Equations



V = IR
C = Q/V
Series = same Q
Parallel = Same V

The Attempt at a Solution



part 1 of my work - http://tinypic.com/r/jtpd0p/6
part 2 of my work - http://tinypic.com/r/2lkbdww/6
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How did you calculate (a)? It is wrong. I think you forgot to take inverse values somewhere. Working with units would help here.
As additional check, you could calculate the potential difference at the top left capacitor. The sum of that and your result in (b) should add up to 90, but it does not.
 
UGHH i totally see what i did. dangit
i was doing
1/3 + 1/6 = .5
but I am pretty sure its suposed to be
1/3 + 1/6 = 1/x ----> which would make the combination of the top to uF equal 2 instead
 
..so would A) equal 3.3 uF then?
 
And was I doing B on the right track than? just my numbers were messed up?
 
10/3µF, which is about 3.3µF, right.
The concepts for b-d are fine.
 
It worked out perfectly :) thanks
 
Back
Top