What is the total charge stored by parallel plate capacitors?

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SUMMARY

The total charge stored by parallel plate capacitors is defined as the sum of the charges on each individual capacitor, represented as Q_{tot} = Q_1 + Q_2. When a battery is connected, capacitors reach their maximum charge quickly, with Q_1 and Q_2 representing the charges on the respective plates. It is crucial to understand that while the individual charges on the plates are non-zero, the total charge across both plates is zero due to the equal and opposite charges. This concept clarifies the behavior of capacitors in a circuit.

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Bashyboy
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Hello,

I am currently reading about what has been alluded to in the title of this thread. I attached a diagram, as it will be of some help.

Okay, in my textbook it says:

After the battery is attached to the circuit, the capacitors quickly reach their
maximum charge. Let’s call the maximum charges on the two capacitors Q_1 and Q_2. The total charge Q_{tot} stored by the two capacitors is the sum of the charges on the individual capacitors: Q_{tot} = Q_1 + Q_2.

My question is, wouldn't Q1 and Q2 both be zero, once the plates have been charged; that is, the electrons flow from the negative terminal into the plate on the right side, building up negative charge, which then repels all of the electrons in the adjacent plate, causing positive charge to build up?
 

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Bashyboy said:
My question is, wouldn't Q1 and Q2 both be zero, once the plates have been charged; that is, the electrons flow from the negative terminal into the plate on the right side, building up negative charge, which then repels all of the electrons in the adjacent plate, causing positive charge to build up?
When they speak of the charge stored on a capacitor, they mean the magnitude of the charge on each plate. (The total charge on both plates is of course zero.)
 
Oh, okay. Thanks!
 

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