capacitor

why cant we just add add 1/2CV^2 and 1/2(3C)V^2...also what do they mean by equivalent capacitance since no battery??
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iTeachChem Helper
@Gyro Gearloose
iTeachChem Helper
Note for OP
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iTeachChem
iTeachChem3mo ago
a battery causes potential difference to exist. if there is no battery, there is no pot diff there is a potential at steady state which they are saying will be total charge/total capacity why will you add the two? can you walk us through the logic of that?
CorrodedCoffin
CorrodedCoffin3mo ago
Potential diff can exist if u have a charged and uncharged capacitor connected through a wire Ig in that case u can call the capacitor a battery
Opt
Opt3mo ago
Make sure to send the whole question next time ok? Just advice. I'm guessing the situation is that capacitor C is charged across a cell of EMF ε, then connected across an empty capacitor 3C. Also, you can do 0.5CV²+1.5CV² here, there's no issue since the capacitors are in parallel. If they were in series however, you would need to consider the potential differences across each, so keep that in mind. Also, equivalent capacitance can be deduced from how the voltage develops across the capacitor. The upper part is positively charged and the lower is negatively charged so the entire system behaves like a single capacitor with (1+3)C capacitance
iTeachChem
iTeachChem3mo ago
interesting. yea sure that is the 'before' state. the 'after' state would be no pd right?
CorrodedCoffin
CorrodedCoffin3mo ago
yepp
Imine
ImineOP3mo ago
But then U2 is coming 10/16 CE^2 Also how would you connect 2 capacitors in series without a battery....charge will flow till both capacitors are at equal potential ergo they're in parallel
Opt
Opt3mo ago
Exactly 2CV² = 2C(ε/4)² which what they've gotten as well....
Imine
ImineOP3mo ago
But the other capacitors is 3C Oh wait
iTeachChem
iTeachChem3mo ago
Exactly. That’s what’s happening
Imine
ImineOP3mo ago
+solved @Opt
iTeachChem Helper
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