Question

Capacitors C1 = 6.45 µF and C2 = 2.50 µF are charged as a parallel combination across a 250 V battery. The capacitors are disconnected from the battery and from each other. They are then connected positive plate to negative plate and negative plate to positive plate. Calculate the resulting charge on each capacitor.

Answer 1

Answer:

For C1, Q =  1.6125×10⁻³ C

For C2, Q =  6.25×10⁻⁴ C

Explanation:

Note: Since the capacitors are connected in parallel, The voltage across each of them is equal.

From the question,

Q = CV........................ Equation 1

Where Q = Charge on the capacitor, V = Voltage across the capacitor, C = Capacitance of the capacitor.

For the first capacitor,

Q = C1V............. Equation 2

Where C1 = 6.45 μF= 6.45×10⁻⁶ F, V = 250 V

Substitute into equation 2

Q = (6.45×10⁻⁶ )(250)

Q = 1.6125×10⁻³ C.

For the the second capacitor,

Q = C2V............. Equation 3

Given: C2 = 2.50 μF = 2.5×10⁻⁶ F, V = 250 V

Q = (2.5×10⁻⁶ )(250)

Q = 6.25×10⁻⁴ C