Final answer:
The charge on capacitors in series is the same for each and is found using the relationship C = Q/V. In parallel, each capacitor can have a different charge, calculated using Q = C * V, where V is the voltage across the parallel combination. To provide specific values, the actual capacitances and applied voltage would be required.
Step-by-step explanation:
Determining the Charge on Each Capacitor
When capacitors are connected in series, like in Figure 19.19(a) and Figure 19.27(a), they each acquire the same charge Q. This is because the charge from the battery flows onto the first capacitor and induces an equal but opposite charge on the adjoining plate of the next capacitor. This process continues through the series such that each capacitor holds the same charge Q.
In a parallel combination, such as shown in Figure 19.20(a), each capacitor has the same voltage V across it and can potentially store different amounts of charge. The total charge Q stored by the network is the sum of the charges on the individual capacitors: Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3.
To determine the charge on each capacitor:
- Identify whether the capacitors are in series or parallel.
- For series capacitors, the charge Q on each is the same and can be found using C = Q/V, where C is the capacitance and V is the potential difference across the series combination.
- For parallel capacitors, use Q = C * V for each capacitor, where C is the individual capacitance and V is the potential difference across each (same for all since they are parallel).
Thus, to answer the student's question fully we would need the values of capacitance and voltage for each capacitor. However, based on the principles, the charge on capacitors in series is identical and is calculated differently than those in parallel, where it depends on individual capacitances.