226

2.4.1 Solving Capacitive

Circuits 4u
Caper
Whenever we switch on a capacitive circuit then charges flow
through the connected battery (or batteries) in the circuit and M
Connected capacitors attain charges until steady state is arrived
when charge flow stops and capacitors of circuit are said to be
fully charged in the given circuit. 3uF

Analyzing the circuit for calculation of steady state charges on

various capacitors of circuit, potential difference
points of circuit, work done by batteries in across any
charging the Figure 2.83
capacitors and energy stored in capacitors, is called 'Solving a
Circuit'. n previous article section-2.3 and Illustrations-12 to
17we solved some circuits by using the sStep-II of Nodal Analysis : Distribution ofPotential in C
method of series and
parallel combinations. Nodal analysis is a better and
fast To proceed further we need to distribute potential at
technique to solve capacitive circuits when cireuits point in the circuit. We start with the battery terminals ande even
combinations complex. Simple
are consider the potential at negative terminal of
by using series and parallel method.circuits can always solve zero. Battery used here is of
you the battery %
20 V thus positive terminal
battery will be at potential 20 V. All metallic connecting wirs
2.4.2 Step by Step Solving a Circuit Using can be considered equipotential so on the
Nodal Analysis wires connected th
negative and positive terminals of battery potential will enain
For a given group of capacitorswe can calculate its equivalent 0Vand 20Vrespectively.
capacitance, charge, potential difference and energy stored in
any capacitor using nodal analysis in Atthe node junction Mas it is neither
stepwise manner. connected to left or right
side of battery directly, we can consider its
We will discuss the understanding and potential to ber
application of nodal such that 0V <x<20 V because on capacitors charges
analysis using an illustration shown in figure-2.82. The circuit is as shown in polanty
shown here is similar to figure-2.80 with numerical values. In always at figure-2.84 and negative plate of capaçcitor s
this circuit we will calculate the lower potential then its positive plate.
equivalent capacitance of the 4uF
circuit across terminals AB and steady state charge on
each
capacitor after closing the switch. There are three steps to be 5uF
followed for solving this circuit using nodal analysis. 20 M

4uF
3uF

(20 20V v)
3uF
Figure 2.84

Asshown in figure-2.84 all points on the circuit some

pot
is considered. We started with zero potential reference frod
negative terminal of battery and distributed potentials a
Figure 2.82 other points of circuit. For nodes as potential is unknow
give variable potentials x, y,,z.... if more than one nodesg
Step-I of Nodal Analysis : Identifying the Nodes of Circuit there in a circuit.
As already explained in previous article
about identifying the Step-IlI of Nodal Analysis :
nodes of circuit, in this case we can mark the junction Mas a Writing Nodal Equation
node in this circuit as shown in figure-2.83. As we discussed that nodes are isolated parts of circuit
charge on all the plates of capacitors connectedto a
 227
Capacitance

be zero. On anode charges can only be induced so be given as

circuit must Thus equivalent capacitance in this case can
ifcapacitorsareeinitially uncharged, net charge on anode must
remainzero. So for every node off circuit we can write equation (175
3 35 ...(2.115)
conservation of charge as for circuit shown in
figure-2.84 Ago
for
wecan Write
Cea Vssdy 20
directly
Above result of equivalent capacitance can be verified
method. In the
93-91-9,=0 ...(2.108) by using the series and parallel combination
see the 4 uF and 3 uF capacitors are
As in
steady state charge on acapacitor is given as q = CV given circuit we can equivalent can be
where Vis the potential difference across the capacitor plates connected in parallel combination thus their
given by sum of these two i.e. 7 uF which is connected in series
use the charge on the three capacitors as
with 5 uF. For two capacitors C, and C, is given as
we can

4, =4x(20-x) uC ...(2.109) CC/(C + C,)thus the overall equivalent capacitance of this

9, =3 x (20-x) uC circuit is given as
...2.110)
7x5 35 ...(2.116)
4;-5x uC Cea F
and ...2.111) 7+5 12
is obtained in
We can see that above result is same which
Substituting the values of charges in equation-(2.109), we get equation-(2.115) but both are entirely different methods. In this
5x 4(20-x)-3(20-x) =0 case the method of series and parallel combination seems more
...(2.112) easier and fast, thats true but in many cases of mixed combination
12x=140 and complex circuits method of series and parallel combination
140 35
may not work which we will analyze and discuss in upcoming
illustrations.
12 3 V . . (2.113)

Equation-(2.112) above is called 'Nodal Equation' used to One important point to be noted in above analysis that the
determine the unknown potentials considered in step-II of nodal equivalent capacitance of circuit does not depend on the
analysis. If in some circuit there are two nodes then there will be potential difference applied across it like if we repeat the
two variable potentials considered x and y in step-II and then analysis by changing the battery voltage to 50Vor 100 Vinstead
we write two nodal equations for the two variables. Next of 20 V then also the result will remain same. So in different
illustration will explain such a circuit with more variables. Nodal cases if we need to solve a capacitive circuit for its equivalent
equations are linear equations in terms of unknown potentials capacitance then we can connect a 100 V battery across its
and solving nodal equations we can determine the values of terminals and solve by using nodal analysis. We use 100 V to
unknown potentials considered like here we calculated the value simplify the calculations otherwise any battery can be used for
ofx given in equation-(2.113). this purpose.

Once the unknown potential is obtained, we can calculate 2.4.3 Alternative Way of Writing Nodal Equations
charges on all the capacitors of the circuit by using
equations-(2.109), (2.110) and (2.111)which are given as In previous article we've discussed stepwise analysis of solving
a capacitive circuit using nodal analysis. In nodal analysis in
9=4x HC last step we write nodal equations to find the unknown potentials
at nodes of circuit which are the equation of conservation of
charge at all the plates connected to a node junction like the
4,-3x(20--254C equation-(2.109) we've written for the circuit shown in
figure-2.84. Then we substituted the value of charges in nodal
and 175
equation in terms of the unknown potential x and obtained
psio33 equation-(2.112).
To find the equivalent capacitance of this circuit across terminals
iand B we can use equation-(2.84). On closing the switch Equation-(2.112) can be written directly just after step-II as we
battery tr?ansfers acharge Ag, from right plate of 5 uF and distribute potentials in circuit. In figure-2.43 to add the charges
places on the left pates of 3uF and 4 uF capacitorsthus we can on the three plates of capacitor we can directly write the plate
Write the
charge flown through battery in this case is given as charge as product of capacitance and difference of potential of
that plate from the other plate such as
175
...(2.114)
4(x-20) +3(*20) + 5x =0 ...(2.117)
 capacitance
Further their Now as are
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C'+C,=C"= connected C'= will the
and
C battery capacitance sum onthe the
(n'+ C 1 is calculate signnodal connectedpotential
thìs sign to
equation{2.17)
capacitor CG+nc
G+nG G+Cq up
given capacitance G seriesin in Eranple
terminals. figure-2.85, ot connected
equation these plate.
in ditterence charges which this ot isM
(l+n) by 1+n of 4r-
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2.85 2.18 charges
is Similarly Mis this
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are given l+n nG saves same 20)
Right CJC, on to plate
3(r-20) as¢harge
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The Ml uC
in plates time asand the
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so1+n capacitors
capacitance
points we and plate
ON -OM to
voltage don't 0) dont
their to on care other
C, n. M zero C.that the of
so of and need on of
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equivalent...(2.118)
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as the the uF
we is a to
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have bother weplate ofpotential
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tothe incan of of
it
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is lMlustrative
athe difference C,The given
now asThe The
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andabove voltage
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question
Students
total
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zero.
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CE=q=
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the in verify are can E right in nGE +2n)C
(n'n+3n +1
points are
equation-(2.122) be circuit
supplied +2n)C (n
figure-2.86
circuit. the advised also nGn+3n+1]nCi (n'+2n)CE
2.19 the most across n+3n (n n+31+1
equivalent
potential connected
result be M +21)CE,
(1+n) is +
Find capacitor and C, given (1
to
solved n'+3n+1] +1 by +n)
four obtained solve and
the
difference capacitor as the
nGE Nin
equivalent
conditionscapacitors will (n battery
thisusing C,which
, series.
in is be +2n)C
V,,-V, equation-(2.125): usingnodal given isdistributed C"
are capacitor in
under the The is charging
connected method as given Capacitance
betweet analysis ..(2.123) potential
potential . .(2.122) ...(2.121) ...(2.120) ...(2.119)
wnica across
C' by
0T the
is
 potentials For
respectively Now distribution be two
analysis. orThis Solution
Solving Similarlyfor by Capacitance
node x
nodes
C,o-0) we and usingcircuit
C,r-0)+C,-E)=0
equations-(2.124) M, can As
at at
y in we
points nodal which write respectively. the nodal can
+node different be
(G (G+C;) circuit can
C,o-E)= N, analysis.
see solved
C+C)CG
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and nodal points at in T
Figure
2.86
whichfigure either
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shows
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get Mparallel
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and nodal
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the
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figure-2.89.
shown in To Illustrative
Example
2.20
circuit students ís
apply
1(*-0) the equation given
e
thshown equation-(2.126)
method C,C,- C,
above (100v) at nodal
=6008x 4
the at points can Vu-Vy=0 as
condition
x=75V +1(r-0)+ different in can also.
node negative analysis 3uF verify
3uF HE figure-2.88 A be
H and directly In C,-0 whích
under
junction F3uF upcoming the we
3(*-100) Figure2.89 terminal parts Figure
2.88 B
in 100V and
3uF B same
obtained
100V above
of calculate obtained
at between
circuit articlesresult equation-2.126)
becomes
+ point of
3(*-100) FluF the circuit by
luF the by
B, 100 by the using
luF potential method weby
nodal considering V we points using
will nodal
=0 battery.distribute
discuss
of series
equation difference B
and potential analysis
This 229
zero the Cin that and
is is
 terminals
appliedequivalent
Wheatstone for Next electric next beingusing seriesdetermine
ofwish toFigure-2.90
Thiswhich 2.4.4 solved. (we circuit it two Here and potential
and As 230
capacitance. will
capacitors the
determiningits we chapter specific Wheatstone wil steps. C.
discussednodal and no be. by we given potential
will currents study
battery A two difference
capacitance parallel However using For can
VBC=-0=75-0= 75V
and bridge take analysis
of connection
then capacitors
shows VAB100-x=100-75 as
in series practice see
B an circuits
curent here upcoming that of
4uF aBridge by
voltage as
2uF HE illustration combination.cannot it the acroSs node
shown
shown equivalent as orequivalent specific and the
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using students
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2.91 Figure
2.90 electricity of by is are required
does connect now. be called and articles) parallel
the points B
in in other combination in is
F4uF methods series its method
figure-2.92 figure-2.91.To to Such determined capacitance
This are known
not capacitance. a analyze a Analysis method A
battery because very this advised results
2uF affect methods Wheatstone or = and
8uF H C can ofpotential 25
work in question noW,
a lengthy parallel of and are V B
of Wheatstone be by and
the as faster. in of five to we
we100Considerthe this obtained
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calculate its many wesolved using Bridge'
methods .
capacitors can that can
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battery. determine Wheatstone
through Aq, 4(r-100) The V
equation-(2.86)
is equations-(2.128) we as
to explained nodal of as
Thus capacitors the 2(-100) can write shown
right the
charge equivalent (1001 potentials the bridge
in 31 y write +4(1-y) equation battery
terminalbattery
above the analysisfor
Ago 900 1600
31 in
andtlown +4(-*)+ the previous
in nodal
figure-2.92.
capacitance
which nodal for Figure
2.9 2 HE figure-2.92. at at we
case of is Vis and +2(r-0) node zero distribute
the through 7y-2r=100 Sr-2y=200 equations
the
thisbattery the (2.130) M potential
sum is equation article-2.4.3 node junctions
charge battery given &y solving
across =0 8uF 2uF potentials
We' ve
of of the for
=0 junction
for
to
charges as for and
Aq, the voltage.battery the variablesx variable the
node considered
M
as B positive
and at
can let of in terminals Mcan
junction circuit
allCapacilanca
potentials N
be capac The
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at parts
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as ot f Me x a