25.3
Condensadores en serie y paralelo
Múltiples condensadores conectados sirven como componentes eléctricos en diversas aplicaciones. Estos múltiples capacitores se comportan como un solo…
Los condensadores se pueden conectar en configuraciones en serie o en paralelo en un circuito.
Considere los condensadores conectados en serie a una batería: la placa conectada al terminal positivo de la batería desarrolla una carga positiva, mientras que la placa conectada al terminal negativo está cargada negativamente.
Se induce una magnitud igual de la carga en las otras placas. Sin embargo, la diferencia de potencial entre cada condensador varía según la relación entre la carga y su capacitancia.
Considerando los condensadores como un solo condensador equivalente, la diferencia de potencial entre ellos es igual a la suma de los potenciales entre cada condensador.
Por lo tanto, el recíproco de la capacitancia equivalente es la suma de los recíprocos de las capacitancias individuales.
Ahora, si los condensadores están conectados en paralelo, la diferencia de potencial de cada condensador es igual al voltaje de la batería. Por lo tanto, la carga varía como el producto de la capacitancia de los condensadores individuales y la diferencia de potencial.
La carga total del condensador equivalente en una conexión en paralelo es la suma de las cargas de los condensadores individuales. Por lo tanto, la capacitancia equivalente es aditiva.
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Q1: What happens to charge distribution when capacitors are connected in series?
In a series connection, each capacitor acquires an equal magnitude of charge Q. The plate connected to the battery's positive terminal develops a +Q charge, while the plate attached to the negative terminal is negatively charged at −Q. Charges are induced on the other plates so that the sum of charges on any pair of capacitor plates equals zero.
Q2: How does the potential difference vary across capacitors in a series circuit?
The potential drop on each capacitor in series varies as the ratio of the charge to its capacitance. The sum of potential drops across each capacitor equals the total battery voltage. Therefore, capacitors with lower capacitance experience larger potential differences than those with higher capacitance.
Q3: What is the formula for equivalent capacitance in a series configuration?
The reciprocal of equivalent capacitance in a series circuit equals the sum of reciprocals of individual capacitances: 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3. The resulting equivalent capacitance is always smaller than the smallest individual capacitance in the combination, reducing overall storage capacity.
Q4: Why does the voltage drop remain constant across capacitors in parallel?
In a parallel connection, the positive terminals of all capacitors connect to the battery's positive terminal, and negative terminals connect to the battery's negative terminal. This configuration ensures that the potential difference across each capacitor equals the battery voltage, remaining constant regardless of individual capacitance values.
Q5: How is the total charge calculated in a parallel capacitor network?
The total charge stored by a parallel network equals the sum of charges stored in each individual capacitor. Since charge varies as the product of capacitance and potential difference, and voltage is constant across all capacitors, higher capacitance values store proportionally more charge.
Q6: What is the equivalent capacitance formula for capacitors in parallel?
The equivalent capacitance in a parallel circuit equals the sum of all individual capacitances: Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3. This additive relationship means the parallel combination resembles a single equivalent capacitor with higher total capacitance than any individual component in the network.
Q7: How do series and parallel capacitor configurations differ in their capacitance outcomes?
Series configurations produce an equivalent capacitance smaller than the smallest individual capacitor, reducing total storage capacity. Parallel configurations produce an equivalent capacitance equal to the sum of individual capacitances, increasing total storage capacity. The choice between configurations depends on whether reduced or increased capacitance is desired for the application.