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Warming up on...   Capacitors

This assignment is due before 9 AM, Wednesday, September 12th, 2007.

Please type your last name and first initial (e.g., Rader, A):

Please type a nickname: (in case your answer gets used in class).



The following questions refer to the material you were to read in preparation to the lesson. Please write a three or four sentence response to each of the questions.

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the SUBMIT HOMEWORK button at the bottom of this page.

WarmUp questions are worth 4 points each.




1.

The voltage across a capacitor is given by the formula V=Q/C, where Q is usually called "the charge on the capacitor." Where is this charge in a capacitor? Does the capacitor really have a net charge? If two capacitors are connected together is the charge on one the same as on the other?





2.

You and a close friend stand facing each other. You are as close as you can get without actually touching. If a wire is attached to each of you, you can act as the two conductors in a capacitor. Estimate the capacitance of this "human capacitor".





3.

Two capacitors (or other devices for that matter) can be connected in "series" or in "parallel." In your own words, please explain what these two terms mean. Make sure your explanation is good enough that someone could look at a circuit such as the one shown and say which elements are in parallel, which are in series, and which are neither.



Below is a space for your thoughts, including general comments about today's assignment. What was hard or confusing (or cool)? What would you like to spend extra time on in class? Do you see how this subject fits in with the others we have discussed?




You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses click the SUBMIT button.



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