A capacitor of capacitance C1 = $1.0 \mu F$ withstands a maximum voltage V1 = 6.0 kV while capacitor of capacitance C2 = $2.0\mu F$ withstands the maximum voltage = 4.0 kV. What maximum voltage will the system of these capacitors withstand if they are connected in series?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
Charge that capacitor C1 can hold is
q1 = C1V1 = 1 x 10–6 x 6 x 103 C = 6000 mC
Charge with C2 can hold is
q2 = C2V2 = 2 x 10–6 x 6 x 103 C = 12000 m C
In series the charge that each must hold is the least value i.e., 6000 mC.
$V = \frac{6000}{1} + \frac{6000}{2} = 9KV$