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NEET
Exam
NEET
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Capacitance

NEET · Physics · Capacitance

A capacitor C_1 = 6 is connected in series with a parallel...

A capacitor C1=6μFC_1 = 6 \mu\text{F} is connected in series with a parallel combination of two capacitors C2=1μFC_2 = 1 \mu\text{F} and C3=2μFC_3 = 2 \mu\text{F}. A DC voltage VV is applied across the entire system. What is the ratio of the charge on C1C_1 to the charge on C2C_2?

Options

  1. A66
  2. B22
  3. C13\dfrac{1}{3}
  4. D33

Correct answer

D. 33

Step-by-step solution

First, find the equivalent capacitance of the parallel combination of C2C_2 and C3C_3:
Cp=C2+C3=1μF+2μF=3μFC_p = C_2 + C_3 = 1 \mu\text{F} + 2 \mu\text{F} = 3 \mu\text{F}

The total equivalent capacitance of the circuit is:
Ceq=C1×CpC1+Cp=6×36+3=2μFC_{eq} = \dfrac{C_1 \times C_p}{C_1 + C_p} = \dfrac{6 \times 3}{6 + 3} = 2 \mu\text{F}

The total charge drawn from the source is:
Qtotal=CeqV=2VQ_{total} = C_{eq}V = 2V

Since C1C_1 is in series with the rest of the circuit, the entire total charge flows through it:
Q1=Qtotal=2VQ_1 = Q_{total} = 2V

This total charge QtotalQ_{total} then splits between the parallel branches C2C_2 and C3C_3 in direct proportion to their capacitances. The charge on C2C_2 is:
Q2=(C2C2+C3)Qtotal=(11+2)(2V)=2V3Q_2 = \left(\dfrac{C_2}{C_2 + C_3}\right) Q_{total} = \left(\dfrac{1}{1 + 2}\right) (2V) = \dfrac{2V}{3}

The ratio of the charge on C1C_1 to the charge on C2C_2 is:
Q1Q2=2V2V3=3\dfrac{Q_1}{Q_2} = \dfrac{2V}{\dfrac{2V}{3}} = 3

Answer: 33
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