Basics of Capacitors

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In this tutorial, we are going to analyze the

circuit shown here. There are three large parallel
plate capacitors and each of their individual
plates are labeled ABCDEF. While the three
capacitors are close to each other in the diagram,
you may assume that they are sufficiently far
apart that they do not influence each other.
There are also five labeled points which will be
referred to later in the tutorial.

The switch is suddenly closed.

1. Draw in the direction of the current and

the direction of the motion of the
electrons in the diagram. Explain your
answer.

You allow sufficient time to pass so that the capacitors are fully charged and the
entire system has reached equilibrium.

2. You use your voltmeter to make some measurements in the circuit. One of your
leads is placed at 𝑃5 and the other lead is moved from 𝑃1 to 𝑃2, etc. Thus, you are
measuring 𝑉𝑃1 − 𝑉𝑃5 , 𝑉𝑃2 − 𝑉𝑃5 , etc. You have connected the leads so all these
voltage differences are positive. Rank these four voltage differences from largest
to smallest and explain your reasoning.

Largest Smallest

3. Would your ranking in Question #2 change if the ground connection in the circuit
were made at 𝑃4 instead of 𝑃5? Explain why or why not.

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Basics of Capacitors Tutorial, University of Arizona
Contact: (Drew) milsom@email.arizona.edu
 Basics of Capacitors

4. “Circle” the part of the circuit which has an electric potential higher than the
electric potential at the negative terminal of the battery and an electric potential
lower than the electric potential at the positive terminal of the battery.

5. An electron is released from rest between plates C and D. Explain what happens
to it and why.

6. Rank the charge on the six plates (ABCDEF) from most positive to most negative.
You may assume that 𝐶2 > 𝐶3 > 𝐶1 . Explain your reasoning and make sure you
distinguish which plates have positive charge and which have negative charge.

Most positive Most negative

7. Would your ranking in Question #6 change if 𝐶1 > 𝐶2 > 𝐶3 ? Explain why or

why not.

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Basics of Capacitors Tutorial, University of Arizona
Contact: (Drew) milsom@email.arizona.edu
 Basics of Capacitors

𝑄2
8. Determine assuming that 𝐶2 = 3𝐶3. Make sure you clearly indicate what
𝑄3
principal led you to the solution.

It is now time to put some numbers in and fully analyze the circuit. Use 𝝐 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐕, 𝑪𝟏 = 𝟑𝟎 𝝁𝐅, 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟓 𝝁𝐅 and 𝑪𝟑 = 𝟓 𝝁𝐅.

9. Determine the equivalent capacitance of the circuit.

10. Determine the total charge that passes through the battery during the charging
process and the total number of electrons that pass through the battery.

11. Determine 𝑄1 and ∆𝑉1.

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Basics of Capacitors Tutorial, University of Arizona
Contact: (Drew) milsom@email.arizona.edu
 Basics of Capacitors

12. Determine ∆𝑉2 and ∆𝑉3.

13. Determine 𝑄2 and 𝑄3 .

14. Determine the electric potential at 𝑃3. Hint: don’t forget where the ground
connection is.

We should also examine the transfer of energy in the circuit.

15. How much work was done by the battery as it moved electrons during the entire
charging process?

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Basics of Capacitors Tutorial, University of Arizona
Contact: (Drew) milsom@email.arizona.edu
 Basics of Capacitors

16. Determine the energy stored in each of the three capacitors and the sum of those
energies.

17. Does your answer to Question #15 match the total energy in Question #16? If it
does not, explain how that is possible.

18. Imagine that the capacitor plates in 𝐶1 were moved closer together. Would the
charge on 𝐶1 increase, decrease, or stay the same? Explain your reasoning.

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Basics of Capacitors Tutorial, University of Arizona
Contact: (Drew) milsom@email.arizona.edu
 Basics of Capacitors

The circuit is now modified so that a fourth capacitor is now

included.

19. Has 𝑄1 or ∆𝑉1 changed as a result of this? Explain why

or why not.

20. Has 𝑄2 or ∆𝑉2 changed as a result of this? Explain why

or why not.

21. Has 𝑄3 or ∆𝑉3 changed as a result of this? Explain why or why not.

22. Has the total work done by the battery changed? Explain why or why not.

6
Basics of Capacitors Tutorial, University of Arizona
Contact: (Drew) milsom@email.arizona.edu