Physics

Problem

4\,\mu\text{F}

capacitor and a

6\,\mu\text{F}

capacitor are connected in parallel. This parallel combination is connected in series with a

3\,\mu\text{F}

capacitor across a

24\,\text{V}

battery. Determine: a. (i) the equivalent capacitance of the entire circuit. b. (ii) the potential difference across the

3\,\mu\text{F}

capacitor. c. (iii) the charge on each of the

4\,\mu\text{F}

and

6\,\mu\text{F}

capacitors.

Intuitive explanation

When capacitors are in parallel, they act like a single larger capacitor—their capacitances add directly because they share the same voltage. Once you find that equivalent capacitance, you can treat the whole circuit as capacitors in series, where the key insight is that the same charge flows through each element, but voltages divide inversely with capacitance. Use these two ideas to find the total capacitance, then the charge stored, and finally the voltage across each section.

Intuitive explanation

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