Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 25 - Capacitance - Problems - Page 742: 28b

Answer

The final charge on capacitor 2 is $~~16.0~\mu C$

Work Step by Step

When the switch is to the left, we can find the charge on capacitor 1 when it is in equilibrium: $q = C_1~V = (4.00~\mu F)(12.0~V) = 48.0~\mu C$ We can find the equivalent capacitance of $C_2$ and $C_3$ which are in series: $\frac{1}{C_{23}} = \frac{1}{6.00~\mu F}+\frac{1}{3.00~\mu F}$ $\frac{1}{C_{23}} = \frac{1}{6.00~\mu F}+\frac{2}{6.00~\mu F}$ $C_{23} = 2.00~\mu F$ After the switch is moved to the right, $C_1$ is in parallel with the other two capacitors. We can find the equivalent capacitance of the three capacitors: $C_{eq} = 4.00~\mu F+2.00~\mu F = 6.00~\mu F$ We can find the potential difference between the top of the circuit and the bottom of the circuit: $V = \frac{q}{C_{eq}} = \frac{48.0~\mu C}{6.00~\mu F} = 8.00~V$ We can find the final charge on capacitor 1: $q_1 = C_1~V = (4.00~\mu F)(8.00~V) = 32.0~\mu C$ We can find the final charge on capacitor 2: $q_2 = 48.0~\mu C-32.0~\mu C = 16.0~\mu C$ The final charge on capacitor 2 is $~~16.0~\mu C$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.