Three capacitors having capacitances of

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

8.4\,\mu\text{F}

8.2\,\mu\text{F}

and

4.2\,\mu\text{F}

are connected in series across a

36\,\text{V}

potential difference. (1) What is the charge on the

4.2\,\mu\text{F}

capacitor? (2) What is the total energy stored in all three capacitors? (3) The capacitors are disconnected from the potential difference without allowing them to discharge. They are then reconnected in parallel with each other, with the positively charged plates connected together. What is the voltage across each capacitor in the parallel combination? (4) What is the total energy now stored in the capacitors?

Related theory

Energy Stored in Capacitors
Capacitance
Capacitor combinations
Combination of capacitors
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

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