How can I solve the following? In (Figure 1), let V = 15.0 V and C1=C2=C3= 24.2 μF.

Part A: How much energy is stored in the capacitor network as shown in (Figure 1)?

Part B: How much energy would be stored in the capacitor network if the capacitors were all in series?

Part C: How much energy would be stored in the capacitor network if the capacitors were all in parallel?

Part A - 4.084 mJ

Part B - 0.908 mJ

Part C - 8.168 mJ

Explanation:

Part A: How much energy is stored in the capacitor network as shown in (Figure 1)?

Since capacitors C₂ and C₃ are in series, their equivalent capacitance is C',

1/C' = 1/C₂ + 1/C₃      (Since C₁ = C₂ = C₃ = C)

1/C' = 1/C + 1/C

1/C' = 2/C

C' = C/2

Since C' is in parallel with C₁, the equivalent capacitance for the circuit is C" = C₁ + C' = C + C/2 = 3C/2

C" = 3C/2

The energy stored in the circuit, W = 1/2C"V² where C" = equivalent capacitance = 3C/2 and V = voltage = 15.0 V

W = 1/2C"V²

W = 1/2(3C/2)V²

W = 3CV²/4

since C = 24.2 μF = 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F

W = 3CV²/4

W = 3 × 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F (15.0 V)²/4

W = 3 × 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F × 225 V²/4

W = 16335/4 × 10⁻⁶ FV²

W = 4083.75 × 10⁻⁶ J

W = 4.08375 × 10⁻³ J

W = 4.08375 mJ

W ≅ 4.084 mJ

Part B: How much energy would be stored in the capacitor network if the capacitors were all in series?

If the capacitors are connected in series, their equivalent resistance is C'

and 1/C' = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂ + 1/C₃

Since C₁ = C₂ = C₃ = C

1/C' = 1/C + 1/C + 1/C

1/C' = 3/C

C' = C/3

The energy stored in the circuit, W = 1/2C'V² where C' = equivalent capacitance = C/3 and V = voltage = 15.0 V

W = 1/2C'V²

W = 1/2(C/3)V²

W = CV²/6

since C = 24.2 μF = 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F

W = CV²/6

W = 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F (15.0 V)²/6

W = 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F × 225 V²/6

W = 5445/6 × 10⁻⁶ FV²

W = 907.5 × 10⁻⁶ J

W = 0.9075 × 10⁻³ J

W = 0.9075 mJ

W ≅ 0.908 mJ

Part C: How much energy would be stored in the capacitor network if the capacitors were all in parallel?

If the capacitors are connected in parallel, their equivalent resistance is C'

and C' = C₁ + C₂ + C₃

Since C₁ = C₂ = C₃ = C

C' = C + C + C

C' = 3C

The energy stored in the capacitor network, W = 1/2C'V² where C' = equivalent capacitance = 3C and V = voltage = 15.0 V

W = 1/2C'V²

W = 1/2(3C)V²

W = 3CV²/2

since C = 24.2 μF = 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F

W = 3CV²/2

W = 3 × 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F (15.0 V)²/2

W = 3 × 24.2 × 10⁻⁶ F × 225 V²/2

W = 16335/2 × 10⁻⁶ FV²

W = 8167.5 × 10⁻⁶ J

W = 8.1675 × 10⁻³ J

W = 8.1675 mJ

W ≅ 8.168 mJ

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