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REMARKS Notice that finding the total charge does not require finding the charge

ID: 1865289 • Letter: R

Question

REMARKS Notice that finding the total charge does not require finding the charge on each individual capacitor and adding. It's easier to use the equivalent capacitance in the capacitance definition.

QUESTION If all four capacitors had the same capacitance, what fraction of the total charge would be held by each? Express the fraction in decimal form.

PRACTICE IT

(a) Determine the capacitance of the single capacitor that is equivalent to the parallel combination of capacitors shown in the figure above, if C1 = 3.54 µF, C2 = 6.38 µF, C3 = 12.4 µF, C4 = 24.4 µF, and V = 18.8 V.

46.72 Correct: Your answer is correct. µF

(b) Find the charge on the 12.4 µF capacitor. µC

(c) Find the total charge contained in the configuration. µC

Use the values from PRACTICE IT to help you work this exercise. Find the charge on C4.

Q = µC

Explanation / Answer

a) equivalent capacitance, C = C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 = 46.72 µF

b) Q3 = VC3 = 18.8 x 12.4 = 233.12 µC

c) Q = CV = 46.72 x 18.8 = 878.336 µC

d) Q4 = VC4 = 18.8 x 24.4 = 458.72 µC