Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 19 - DC Circuits - General Problems - Page 558: 93

Answer

$$ Q_1= \dfrac{C_1C_2V_0} {C_1+C_2} $$ $$ Q_2^/=\dfrac{ C_2^2V_0} {C_1+C_2} $$

Work Step by Step

First of all, we need to find the charge stored in the second capacitor when the switch was connected downward. $$Q_2=C_2V_2=C_2V_0\tag 1$$ When the switch is connected upward, the two capacitors are now connected in parallel, so they have the same potential difference. Thus, $$V=V_1=V_2$$ hence, $$\dfrac{Q_1 }{C_1}=\dfrac{Q_2^/}{C_2}$$ where $Q_2^/$ is the new charge of the second capacitor. Thus, $$Q_2^/=\dfrac{Q_1C_2}{C_1}\tag 2$$ Remember that the two amounts of charges are the sum of the initial charge of the second capacitor in the first case. $$Q_2=Q_1+Q_2^/$$ Plugging from (2); $$Q_2=Q_1+\dfrac{Q_1C_2}{C_1}=Q_1\left[1+\dfrac{ C_2}{C_1}\right]$$ Plugging from (1); $$C_2V_0= Q_1\left[1+\dfrac{ C_2}{C_1}\right]$$ Thus, $$Q_1=\dfrac{C_2V_0}{1+\dfrac{ C_2}{C_1}}=\dfrac{C_2V_0}{ \dfrac{C_1+C_2}{C_1}}$$ $$\boxed{Q_1= \dfrac{C_1C_2V_0} {C_1+C_2}} $$ Plugging into (2); $$Q_2^/=\dfrac{C_1C_2V_0} {C_1+C_2}\cdot \dfrac{ C_2}{C_1} $$ $$\boxed{Q_2^/=\dfrac{ C_2^2V_0} {C_1+C_2}} $$
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