Two capacitors $\mathrm{C}_1=3 \mu \mathrm{F}$ and $\mathrm{C}_2=2 \mu \mathrm{F}$ are connected in series…

Two capacitors $\mathrm{C}_1=3 \mu \mathrm{F}$ and $\mathrm{C}_2=2 \mu \mathrm{F}$ are connected in series across d.c. source of $100 \mathrm{~V}$. The ratio of the potential across $C_2$ to $C_1$ is
  1. $2: 3$
  2. $3:2$
  3. $6:5$
  4. $5:6$

Solution

$\begin{array}{ll} \therefore \quad & \mathrm{C}_1=3 \mu \mathrm{F} \text { and } \mathrm{C}_2=2 \mu \mathrm{F} \\ & \mathrm{C}_{\text {series }}=\frac{\mathrm{C}_1 \mathrm{C}_2}{\mathrm{C}_1+\mathrm{C}_2}=\frac{6}{5} \mu \mathrm{F} \\ & \text { Also, } \mathrm{Q}=\mathrm{CV} \\ \mathrm{Q} & =\mathrm{C}_{\text {series }} \times \mathrm{V} \\ & =\frac{6}{5} \times 100=120 \mu \mathrm{C} \end{array}$ $\mathrm{Q}$ will be the same across both the capacitors as they are in series. $\therefore \quad$ Potential across capacitors, $\begin{aligned} & \mathrm{V}_1=\frac{\mathrm{Q}}{\mathrm{C}_1}=\frac{120}{3}=40 \mathrm{~V} \\ & \mathrm{~V}_2=\frac{\mathrm{Q}}{\mathrm{C}_2}=\frac{120}{2}=60 \mathrm{~V} \\ & \therefore \quad \mathrm{V}_2: \mathrm{V}_1=60: 40=3: 2 \end{aligned}$

Asked in: MHT CET 2023 (10 May Shift 1)

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