Answer to Question #317944 in Physics for Catastrophe

Question

Two capacitors with 2.0 F and 3.0 F capacitance, respectively, are connected in series and subjected to a total potential difference of 100 V. Find the (a) total capacitance,

(b) charge stored in each capacitor, and (c) potential difference across each capacitor

Answer 1

(a) total capacitance

$$C=\frac{C_1C_2}{C_1+C_2}$$ $$C=\frac{2.0*3.0}{2.0+3.0}=1.2\:\rm F$$

(b) charge stored in each capacitor

$$q=CV\\ =1.2*100=120\:\rm C$$

(c) potential difference across each capacitor

$$V_1=q/C_1=120/2.0=60\:\rm V$$ $$V_2=q/C_2=120/3.0=40\:\rm V$$