Q. Two capacitors of capacitance $2\ \mu F\ and\ 4\mu F$ respectively are connected in series. The combination is connected across a potential difference of 10 V. The ratio of energies stored by capacitors will be

A) $1\ :\sqrt{2}$
B) 2 : 1
C) 1 : 4
D) 4 : 1
Explanation

(b) Given, $C = 2\mu F,\ C_{2} = 4\mu F,\ and\ V = 10$volt
Capacitors are connected in series
$\frac{1}{C} = \frac{1}{C_{1}} + \frac{1}{C_{2}}$
$\therefore\ C = \ \frac{4 \times 2}{4 + 2} = \frac{4}{3}$
The charge of combination
$q = CV = \frac{4}{3} \times 10 = \frac{40}{3}$
The energy of $2\mu F$ capacitor
$E = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{q^{2}}{C_{1}} = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1600}{9 \times 2} = \frac{400}{9}$
The energy of $4\mu F$ capacitor
$E_{2\ } = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{q^{2}}{C_{2}} = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1600}{9 \times 4} = \frac{200}{9}$
The ratio of energies is
$\frac{E_{1}}{E_{2}} = \frac{\frac{400}{9}}{\frac{200}{9}} = \frac{2}{1}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.