What is the Equivalent Capacitance in This Circuit?

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SUMMARY

The equivalent capacitance for the given circuit is calculated to be 4C/3. The solution involves recognizing the symmetry in the circuit, where a capacitor of 3C has zero charge, allowing the analysis to focus on the remaining capacitors. The calculations utilize the formulas for series and parallel capacitance: 1/C(eq) = 1/C(1) + 1/C(2) for series and C(eq) = C(1) + C(2) for parallel configurations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of capacitor configurations: series and parallel
  • Familiarity with capacitance formulas: C(eq) = C(1) + C(2) and 1/C(eq) = 1/C(1) + 1/C(2)
  • Basic knowledge of electrical charge and voltage relationships: V = Q/C
  • Ability to analyze circuit symmetry in capacitor networks
NEXT STEPS
  • Study advanced capacitor network analysis techniques
  • Learn about the impact of capacitor values on circuit behavior
  • Explore practical applications of equivalent capacitance in real-world circuits
  • Investigate the effects of capacitor charge distribution in complex circuits
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Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and anyone studying capacitor networks and their applications in electronic circuits.

Acuben
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Homework Statement



http://yfrog.com/mrcapdg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/1172/capd.th.gif

Find equivalent capacitance
answer is 4C/3

Homework Equations


whatever is in parenthesis is subscript
formula1: series: 1/C(eq)= 1/C(1) + 1/C(2) + 1/C(3) + ...
formula2: parallel: C(eq)=C(1)+C(2)+...

formula3: V=Q/C

The Attempt at a Solution



because of symmetry I decided that 3C has 0 charge (0q) and that top part has same voltage as the bottom part

charge split top and bottom equally

so I solved the problem "as if" 3C doesn't exist
so on the top series I get C/3 (using formula 1) and C/3 for bottom as well since it's in symmetry
and top and bottom form parallel so I get
2C/3 using formula 2

which is only half the answer

><
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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For top branch 1/Ceff = 1/C + 1/2C = ?
 
o thanks for pointing that out, I made simple algebra mistake ^^
 

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