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: 39a

Answer

The magnitude of the maximum potential difference that can exist between points A and B is $~~190~V$

Work Step by Step

We can find the charge on each capacitor if the potential difference across each capacitor is $100~V$ $q_1 = C_1~V = (10.0~\mu F)(100~V) = 1000~\mu C$ $q_2 = C_2~V = (20.0~\mu F)(100~V) = 2000~\mu C$ $q_3 = C_3~V = (25.0~\mu F)(100~V) = 2500~\mu C$ Since the capacitors are in series, all three capacitors have the same charge. Therefore, the charge on each capacitor is limited to a maximum of $1000~\mu C$, otherwise the potential difference across capacitor 1 would be more than 100 V We can find the potential difference across each capacitor with a charge of $1000~\mu C$ $V_1 = \frac{q}{C_1} = \frac{1000~\mu C}{10.0~\mu F} = 100~V$ $V_2 = \frac{q}{C_2} = \frac{1000~\mu C}{20.0~\mu F} = 50.0~V$ $V_3 = \frac{q}{C_3} = \frac{1000~\mu C}{25.0~\mu F} = 40.0~V$ The magnitude of the maximum potential difference that can exist between points A and B is $~~190~V$
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