CAIE A-Level Physics A2 19.1.3 C Q V For…ries and

[Maximum number: 3]

Three uncharged capacitors of capacitances $C_{1}, C_{2}$ and $C_{3}$ are connected in series with a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) E and a switch, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1

When the switch is closed, there is a charge +q on plate P of the capacitor of capacitance $C_{1}$ .
Show that the combined capacitance C of the three capacitors is given by the expression

\frac{1}{C}=\frac{1}{C_{1}}+\frac{1}{C_{2}}+\frac{1}{C_{3}} .

clear indication of equal charge on each capacitor
$E=V_{1}+V_{2}+V_{3}$ and V=Q / C
completion of algebra leading to $1 / C=1 / C_{1}+1 / C_{2}+1 / C_{3}$

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CAIE A-Level Physics A2 19.1.3 C Q V Formulas for the Combined Capacitance of Capacitors in Series and Topic Practice

Question 1