Capacitors in Series – Rankers Physics
Topic: Capacitors
Subtopic: Combination of Capacitors

Capacitors in Series

Three capacitors \(2 \mutext{F}\), \(3 \mutext{F}\, \text{and }5 \mutext{F}\), can withstand voltages to \(3text{V}\), \(2text{V}\), \text{and }1text{V}\), respectively. Their series combination can withstand a maximum voltage equal to :
\(5 \text{ Volts}\)
\(31/6 \text{ Volts}\)
\(26/5 \text{ Volts}\)
None

Solution:

For each capacitor, calculate the maximum charge it can hold: \(Q_1 = C_1 V_1 = (2 \mu\text{F})(3\text{V}) = 6 \mu\text{C}\), \(Q_2 = C_2 V_2 = (3 \mu\text{F})(2\text{V}) = 6 \mu\text{C}\), \(Q_3 = C_3 V_3 = (5 \mu\text{F})(1text{V}) = 5 \mu\text{C}\). In a series combination, the charge must be the same on each capacitor, so the maximum charge is the minimum of these, \(Q_{max} = 5 \mu\text{C}\). The equivalent capacitance in series is \(\frac{1}{C_{eq}} = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} = \frac{15+10+6}{30} = \frac{31}{30} \text{F}^{-1}\), so \(C_{eq} = \frac{30}{31} \mu\text{F}\). The maximum voltage is \(V_{max} = \frac{Q_{max}}{C_{eq}} = \frac{5 \mu\text{C}}{(30/31) \mu\text{F}} = \frac{5 \times 31}{30} = \frac{31}{6} \text{ Volts}\).

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