What Is the Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors in Series and Parallel?

  • Thread starter Thread starter v0id19
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Capacitor Image
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the equivalent capacitance of three capacitors connected to a battery, with values C1 = 3C, C2 = C, and C3 = 5C. The relevant formulas for combining capacitors in parallel and series are provided, but the user is uncertain about how to apply them when both configurations are present. The solution involves first calculating the total capacitance of C2 and C3 in parallel, then treating that result as a single capacitor in series with C1. This method allows for the determination of the overall equivalent capacitance in terms of C. Understanding the combination of series and parallel capacitance is essential for solving such problems.
v0id19
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
Quick capacitor question

Homework Statement


Three capacitors are connected to a battery as shown in the figure below. Their capacitances are C1 = 3C, C2 = C, and C3 = 5C
p20-44.gif

What is the equivalent capacitance of this set of capacitors (in terms of C)?

Homework Equations


In parallel, Ctot=C1+C2+...+Cn
In series, 1/Ctot=1/C1+1/C2+...+1/Cn


The Attempt at a Solution


my book never says how to add capacitors that are both in series and parallel, so i have no idea. i know the formulas above, but idk how to combine them...
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Do it in two parts.Use your first equation above -this gives you the single capacitor that can replace C2 and C3 and now you are left with this single capacitor in series with C1
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why Capacitors in Parallels vs. Series: Coaxial Capacitor Case
Replies
2
Views
2K
Capacitors in Series and Parallel
Replies
1
Views
4K
How to find the charge on each capacitor
Replies
3
Views
2K
Non-Complex Capacitor Potential Difference question
Replies
9
Views
2K
Capacitors in series or in parallel? - calculating CR
Replies
8
Views
2K
Struggling to find the equivalent capacitance of this circuit
Replies
11
Views
2K
Energy stored in Capacitor Network
Replies
2
Views
13K
Find the equivalent capacitance of the circuit
Replies
12
Views
2K
How do I calculate the equivalence capacitance of this circuit?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Two Capacitors connected in Series and to a 10V battery.
Replies
4
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top