A 1.5 µF capacitor and a 4.2 µF capacitor are connected in parallel across a 240 V potential difference. Calculate the total energy in joules stored in the capacitors.

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**Problem Statement:**

A 1.5 μF capacitor and a 4.2 μF capacitor are connected in parallel across a 240 V potential difference. Calculate the total energy in joules stored in the capacitors.

**Explanation:**

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance (C_total) is the sum of the individual capacitances:
\[ C_{\text{total}} = C_1 + C_2 \]

Given:
- \( C_1 = 1.5 \, \mu \text{F} = 1.5 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{F} \)
- \( C_2 = 4.2 \, \mu \text{F} = 4.2 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{F} \)
- Voltage (V) = 240 V

First, calculate the total capacitance:
\[ C_{\text{total}} = 1.5 \times 10^{-6} + 4.2 \times 10^{-6} = 5.7 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{F} \]

The energy \( E \) stored in a capacitor is given by the formula:
\[ E = \frac{1}{2} C V^2 \]

Substitute the total capacitance and voltage into the formula to find the energy:
\[ E = \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 10^{-6} \times (240)^2 \]

Calculate:
\[ E = \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 10^{-6} \times 57600 \]
\[ E = 0.163944 \, \text{J} \]

Therefore, the total energy stored in the capacitors is approximately 0.164 joules.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem Statement:** A 1.5 μF capacitor and a 4.2 μF capacitor are connected in parallel across a 240 V potential difference. Calculate the total energy in joules stored in the capacitors. **Explanation:** When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance (C_total) is the sum of the individual capacitances: \[ C_{\text{total}} = C_1 + C_2 \] Given: - \( C_1 = 1.5 \, \mu \text{F} = 1.5 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{F} \) - \( C_2 = 4.2 \, \mu \text{F} = 4.2 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{F} \) - Voltage (V) = 240 V First, calculate the total capacitance: \[ C_{\text{total}} = 1.5 \times 10^{-6} + 4.2 \times 10^{-6} = 5.7 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{F} \] The energy \( E \) stored in a capacitor is given by the formula: \[ E = \frac{1}{2} C V^2 \] Substitute the total capacitance and voltage into the formula to find the energy: \[ E = \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 10^{-6} \times (240)^2 \] Calculate: \[ E = \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 10^{-6} \times 57600 \] \[ E = 0.163944 \, \text{J} \] Therefore, the total energy stored in the capacitors is approximately 0.164 joules.
Expert Solution
Step 1

Given that,

the capacitance of the two capacitors which are connected in parallel are

C1=1.5μF=1.5×10-6FC2=4.2μF=4.2×10-6F

And the applied voltage is Vo=240V

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