Question

Three identical capacitors are connected in series to a battery. If a total charge of Q flows from the battery, how much charge does each capacitor carry?

Answer 1

Each of the capacitor carries the same charge, Q

Step-by-step explanation:

When capacitors are connected in series, the battery voltage is divided equally across the capacitors. The total voltage across the three identical capacitors is calculated as follows;

`V_T = V_1 + V_2 + V_3`

We can also calculate this voltage in terms of capacitance and charge;

`V = (Q)/(C) \\\\V_T = V_1 + V_2 +V_3 \\\\(given \ total \ charge \ as \ Q, then \ the \ total \ voltage \ V_T \ can \ be \ written \ as)\\\\V_T = (Q)/(C_1) + (Q)/(C_2) + (Q)/(C_3) \\\\V_T = Q((1)/(C_1 ) +(1)/(C_2) + (1)/(C_3 ))\\\\`

Therefore, each of the capacitor carries the same charge, Q