RESISTANCE–CAPACITANCE (RC) CIRCUITS
Capacitors are typically charged by batteries. Once the switch in the diagram on the
left is closed, electrons are attracted to the positive terminal of the battery and
leave the top plate of the capacitor. Electrons also accumulate on the bottom plate
of the capacitor, and this continues until the voltage across the capacitor plates
matches the emf of the battery. When this condition is reached, the current stops and
the capacitor is fully charged.
- Find the charge stored and the voltage across each capacitor in
the following circuit, given that ε = 180 V, C 1 = 30 μF, C 2 = 60 μF,
and C 3 = 90 μF.