Question

Two capacitors of capacitance $C_1$ and $C_2$, are connected in parallel. If a charge Q is given to the combination, the charge gets shared. The ratio of the charge on the capacitor $C_1$ to the charge on the capacitor $C_2$ is

• A. $C_1 C_2$
• B. $C_2 / C_1$
• C. $C_1 + C_2$
• D. $C_1 / C_2$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$C_1 / C_2$

Answer 2

In parallel combination, they will have common potential.
Common potential $\frac{total \, charge}{total \, capacitance}$
\therefore \hspace30mm V = \frac{Q}{C_1 + C_2}
\hspace10mmCharge on $C_1 = C_1 V = \frac{C_1 Q}{C_1 + C_2}$
\hspace10mmCharge on $C_2 = C_2 V = \frac{C_2 Q}{C_1 + C_2}$
$\therefore \, \, \, \, \,$Required ratio = $\frac{C_1 Q / (C_1 + C_2)}{C_2 Q / (C_1 + C_2)}$
\hspace40mm = \frac{C_1}{C_2}