zuai-logo
zuai-logo
  1. AP Physics C E M
FlashcardFlashcard
Study GuideStudy GuideQuestion BankQuestion BankGlossaryGlossary

Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total charge.

Series: Charge is the same on each capacitor. Parallel: Total charge is the sum of charges on each capacitor.

Flip to see [answer/question]
Flip to see [answer/question]
Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident

All Flashcards

Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total charge.

Series: Charge is the same on each capacitor. Parallel: Total charge is the sum of charges on each capacitor.

Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total capacitance.

Series: Reciprocal addition is used. Parallel: Capacitances are added directly.

Compare the behavior of a capacitor in a DC circuit initially versus at steady state.

Initially: Current flows freely. Steady State: No current flows; acts as an open circuit.

Compare charging vs. discharging an RC circuit regarding current flow.

Charging: Current decreases exponentially. Discharging: Current (magnitude) decreases exponentially, and flows in the opposite direction.

Compare the voltage distribution in series vs parallel capacitor circuits.

Series: Voltage is split across capacitors. Parallel: Voltage is the same across each capacitor.

Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total charge.

Series: Charge is the same on each capacitor (Qtotal=Q1=Q2=Q3=...Q_{total} = Q_1 = Q_2 = Q_3 = ...Qtotal​=Q1​=Q2​=Q3​=...) | Parallel: Total charge is the sum of charges on each capacitor (Qtotal=Q1+Q2+Q3+...Q_{total} = Q_1 + Q_2 + Q_3 + ...Qtotal​=Q1​+Q2​+Q3​+...)

Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total capacitance.

Series: 1Ctotal=1C1+1C2+1C3+...\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...Ctotal​1​=C1​1​+C2​1​+C3​1​+... | Parallel: Ctotal=C1+C2+C3+...C_{total} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3 + ...Ctotal​=C1​+C2​+C3​+...

Compare the behavior of a capacitor in a circuit at the initial state vs. steady state.

Initial State: Current flows freely, capacitor is uncharged | Steady State: No current flows, capacitor is fully charged and acts as an open circuit.

Compare the voltage behavior of capacitors in series vs parallel.

Series: Voltage is split across each capacitor. | Parallel: Voltage is the same across each capacitor.

Compare the current behavior of capacitors in series vs parallel.

Series: Current is the same through each capacitor. | Parallel: Current divides through each capacitor.

How do you find the total capacitance of capacitors in series?

Use the reciprocal addition formula: 1Ctotal=1C1+1C2+1C3+...\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...Ctotal​1​=C1​1​+C2​1​+C3​1​+...

How do you find the total capacitance of capacitors in parallel?

Add the capacitances directly: Ctotal=C1+C2+C3+...C_{total} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3 + ...Ctotal​=C1​+C2​+C3​+...

Describe the process of charging a capacitor in an RC circuit.

Initially, current flows freely. As the capacitor charges, the voltage across it increases until it equals the source voltage, at which point current stops flowing.

Describe the process of discharging a capacitor in an RC circuit.

The capacitor releases its stored charge through the resistor, with the voltage and current decreasing exponentially over time.

What happens to the voltage across a capacitor in a DC circuit over time?

The voltage across the capacitor increases over time until it reaches the voltage of the source, after which it remains constant.