Methods of Finding Equivalent Resistance and Capacitane, We know that in series, Rog = Ry AR, te Ry and and in parallel, and Coq =C, +Cy +. 4Cy in which resistances/capacitors are in mixed grouping. To find Rg hods are suggested here which will help you in finding R., or,” Sometimes there are circuits j Coq for such circuits few met Method of Same Potential points connected directly by a conducting wire will have at the same potential, The capacitors/resistors having the same PD are in parallel. Make a table corresponding to the figure. Now, corresponding to this table a simplified figure can be formed and from this figureC,, and 2, can be calculated. : Give any arbitrary potentials ,, V2... ete) to all terminals of capacitors/resistors. But notice: in © Example 25.14 Find equivalent capacitance between points A and B as shoun in figure. a ox oz ot Fig. 25.48Chapter 25 Capacitors 263 Solution Three capacit ona pacitors have PD, Vi ~V3. So, they are i capacitance is 3C. re in parallel. Their equivalent | 41 | | L vs Ri val va Wa ve ‘Two capacitors have PD, V> ~ Vy. So, their e capacitor across which PD is 7, ‘quivalent capacitance is 2C and lastly there is one —Vq. So, let us make a table corresponding to this information. Table 25.1 PD Capacitance 3c iC) ‘Now, corresponding to this table, we make a simple figure as shown in Fig. 25.50. c Ve! | V4 . 3c 2c a Val 'V2 V2! ' Va Fig. 25.50 ‘As we have to find the equivalent capacitance between points A and B, across which PD is ‘ V, -V,. From the simplified figure, we can sce that the capacitor of capacitance 2C is out of the cireuit and points A and B are as shown. Now, 3C and C are in series and their equivalent capacitance is BONO) _ 36 4 3C4+C. 4 EXERCISE Find equivalent capacitance between points A and B. Ans. i | {f iT Cc c e Hs | 1 c Fig. 25.51 HINT in case PD across any capacitor comes out o be zero (te. the plates are short clreuited), then this capacitor will not store charge. So ignore this capacitor. 3 Ans, = qc264 © Electricity and Magnetism EXERCISE Identical metal plates are located in air at equal distance d from one another gy shown in figure, The area of each plate is A. Find the capacitance of the system between poing , and Q if plates are interconnected as shown. ‘ geP sr —__ gio . (a) © (a) Fig. 25.52 2€ A 3&4 2694 4 3€9A ae =“ © ans. (2) 3-7 Oar OT OT EXERCISE Find equivalent resistance between A and B. A WW WW WW °B 22 6a 32 Fig. 25.53 Ans. 1Q EXERCISE. Find equivalent capacitance between points A and B. c c ‘ os =e c Fig. 25.54 ans. 2c, 3 Infinite Series Problems This circuit consists of an infinite series of identical loops. To findC,, or R,, of such a series firs consider by ourselfa value (say x) of Coq OF Req Then, we break the chain in such a manner that ™ one loop is left with us and in place of the remaining portion we connect a capacitor or ress" Then, we find the C,, or R,, and put it equal to x. With this we get a quadratic equation in* solving this equation, we can find the desired value of x.Chapter 25 Capacitors © 265 ° Example 25.15 An infinite ladder network is constructed with 1Q and 2.Q resistors as shown. Find the equivalent resistance between points A and B. 12 ta 12 AD tm 22a 225 —+ B Fig. 25.55 Solution Let the equivalent resistance between A and B is x.We ,e—y'% may consider the given circuit as shown in Fig, 25.56. In this diagram, 29 x 2x Rep stl or re (@s Rys=) im Fig. 25.56 or = x(2+x)=2xt2+x or x?—-x-2=0 lt Jiv8 xs" =-100nd20 Ignoring the negative value, we have Ryg =x=2Q Ans. Note Care should be taken while breaking the chain. It should be broken from those points from where the broken chain resembles with the original chain. Ry Ry Ry Ry 00 WwW WV WwW ag Ro ! Re Bove enn iy Re 3 ; x Ry R, Ry - WW WW WW Rp ; R ! Ry Son os Rp z 9 Fig. 25.57 EXERCISE Find equivalent resistance between A and B. R kR KR AW ww WwW —--- RE KR RR 2 —e Be Fig. 25.58 HINT” Let Ryy =x, then the resistance of the broken chain will be kx. Ans. RUQk—1) + fak? +1]/2kMethod of Symmetry Symmetry of a circuit can be ch 4. Points which are symmetrically locat So, the resistances/capacitors between illustrate the theory. it ars: in the following four manne! , jecked in ed a the starting and last points are at same Potent, these points can be ignored. The following examp}y % resistors each of resistance r are connected together ., © Example 25.16 Twelve of the cube as shown in figure. Find the equivalens that each lies along the edge resistance between 6 7 2 Ww 4 5 8 ’ 4 Fig. 25.59 (a) land 4 (b) Land3 Solution (a) Between 1 and 4: Points 2 and 5 are symmetrically located w.r.t. points 1 and 4. So, they are at same potentials, Similarly, points 3 and 8 are also symmetrically located ‘wart. points 1 and 4. So, they are again at same potential. Now, we have 12 resistors each of resistance r connected across | and 2, 2 and 3,..., etc. So, redrawing them with the assumption that 2 and 5 are at same potential and 3 and 8 are at same potential. The new figure is as shown in Fig.25.60. Now, we had to find the equivalent resistance between 1 equ Fig. 25.60 1 and 4. We can now simplify the circuit as 5 1 4 4 4 + 4 ees xe ® Bs 2 r 2r 2 sr a 1 ff 4 > tr Fig. 25.61 Thus, the equivalent resistance between points 1 and 4 is 7.» Le 12°Chapter 25 Capacitors © 267 ) Betwonn land gi Points 6 and 8 are symmettically located wrt, points 1 and 3, eit gate naked we located symmetrically wrt. points | and'3. So, points 6 and & are at same potential. Simi eee es Similarly, 2 and 4 are at same potentials, Redrawing the simple circuit, Fig. 25.62 Fig, 25.63, Between I and 3, a balanced Wheatstone bridge is formed as shown in Fig. 25.63. So, the resistance between 2 and 6 and between 4 and 8 can be removed. Fig. 25.64 i is Ans. Thus, the equivalent resistance between 1 and 3 is 7% ns EXERCISE Fourteen identical resistors each of resistance r are connected as shown. Calculate equivalent resistance between A and B. t Ans, 1.27 . Fig. 25.65 i ted along Right identic istances r each are connec! ne ofp hang base ABCD as shown. Calculate edges of a pyramid having square equivalent resistance between A and O. te 15 D Ans.oa etry, Wen an points ty battery and AB is @ line of symmetry Ving oy s A and B are connected to a bat For example, 2. Ifpoint ‘AB are at the same potential. perpendiculars drawn to Fig, 25.67 In Fig, 25.67, points (1, 2), (G, 4, 5) and (6, 7) are at same potential. So, we can join these points ig. 25.67, 2), G, 4,5) and and draw a-simple circuit as shown in Fig. 25.68. r 42h BA Bh 6.7 Fig. 25.68 Now, the equivalent of this series combination is EXERCISE Solve the same problem by connection removal method (will be discussed later). 3. Even if AB is not a line of symmetry but its perpendicular bisector is, then all the points on this perpendicular bisector are at the same potential, For example, In Fig. (a), AB is not a line of s Hoy fs, . Pe ‘ Sak peal (if4 and B are connected to a battery), This rakes say ae ta ae 2as Tedundant because no current flows through them. So, the Pee between the can2. Ifpoints A and B are conn ected to a battery and AB is a line of symmetry, then all po; y ; ints i: Perpendiculars drawn to B are atthe same potential een example, Poms ing 3 Fig. 25.67 In Fig. 25.67, points (1, 2), (3, 4, 5) and (6, 7) are at same Potential. So, we can join these pong and draw a simple circuit as shown in Fig. 25.68. r 1,2 re 3,4,5 Fr Fig. 25.68 Now, the equivalent of this series combination is ae 2 EXERCISE Solve the same ‘problem by connection removal method (will be discussed later). 3. Even if AB is not a line of symmetry but its perpendicular bisector is, then all the points on tis perpendicular bisector are at the same potential. For example, 4 . ‘ ed ‘ ‘ : A B r 3 r ) (a) (b) Fig. 25.69 i ; art In Fig. (a), AB is not a line of symmetry but, 1, 2 and 3 are line of symmetry. Hence, a same potential (if 4 and B are connected toa battery). This makes the resistors between be . cat 2 and 3 redundant because no current flows through them. So, the resistance between themChapter 25 Capacitors » 269 removed [as shown in Fig. (b)]. The equivalent resistance between A and B can now be easily determined as = 4, Each wire in the cube has a resistance r, We o,f are interested in calculating the equivalent ° resistance between A and B. 7 e This is a three-dimensional case and in o ( place of a line of symmetry involving points ‘A and B we locate a plane of symmetry involving A and B. Such a plane is the plane ABce and for this, plane points d and f and g and h have the same potential. The equivalent resistance between A and B can now be éasily worked out (Using Wheatstone’s bridge principle) as ah (a) (b) Fig. 25.70 Connection Removal Method This method is useful when the circuit diagram is symmetric except for the fact that the input and output are reversed. That is the flow of current is a mirror image between input and output above a particular axis. In such cases, some junctions are unnecessarily made. Even if we remove that junction there is no difference in the remaining circuit or current distribution. But after removing the junction, the problem becomes very simple. The following example illustrates the theory. © Example 25.17 Find the equivalent resistance between points A and B. Fig. 25.71 Solution : A B Fig. 25.72 Input and output circuits are mirror images of each other about the dotted line as shown. So, if a current i enters from A and leaves from B, it will distribute as shown below.270 Electricity and Magnetism Is is . B ig a Fig. 25.73 Now, we can see in figure that the junction where iz and then the circuit becomes simple. T BF r r 3 Soe: aA r r BA ar B => Ae——w-—_—_ and ig are meeting can be removed y i r Fig. 25.74 Hence, the equivalent resistance between A and B is Sn h EXERCISE Eight identical resistances r each are connected as shown. Find equivalent resistan between A and D. 9° 8 c A D Fig, 25.75 8r Ans. — 15 Fig. 25.76 Ans. (4/5)raa Chapter 25 Capacitors © 271 encise Find equivalent resistance between A and B. Fig. 25.77 2 Za. Ans: 3 Wheatstone Bridge Circuits \Wheatstone bridge in case of resistors has already been discussed in the E chapter of current electricity. or Ce Forcapacitor, theory is same. A 5 a Ca bridge is said to be balanced and in that case 7% ‘4 Ce Vg=Vp or Vg-Vp or Vey =0 ca * ie. no charge is stored in Cs. Hence, it can be removed from the circuit. | 2 R_C, EXERCISE In the circuit shown in figure, prove that V4, =0 it S Fig. 25.78 2 C1 Fig. 25.79 y Distributing Current/Charge Sometimes none of the above five methods is applicable. So, this one is the last and final method Which can be applied everywhere. Of course this method is a little bit lengthy but is applicable ‘Verywhere, under all conditions. In this method, we assume a main current/charge, i or q. Distribute ‘in different resistors/capacitors as ij, i ..- (Of 1» 2»---»€te). Using Kirchhoff’s laws, we find bhy...ete., (or gy, qyy-..,etc) in terms of i (or g). Then, find the potential difference between Starting and end points through any path and equate it with iRyer OF g/Cyq,. By doing so, we can ‘aleulate Ra or cu ee272 © Electricity and Magnetism The following example is in support of the theory. citance between A and B, 2c Ae 2c a © Example 25.18 Find the equivalent capa Cc 2c cI Fig. 25.80 Solution ‘The given circuit forms a Wheatstone bridge. But the bridge is not balanced. 1g, suppose point is connected to the positive terminal of a battery and B to the negative temiy of the same battery; so that a total charge q is stored in the capacitors. Just by seeing input output symmetry, we can say that charges will be distributed as shown below. Ae —*8 Fig. 25.81 Nt+h=q Applying second law, we have 4 Bye C2" 2 or I~ 43 — 2g, =0 fl Plates inside the dotted line form an isolated system. Hence %2+43~49, =0 A Solving these three equations, we have 2 3 =iq m=2 aga! un 5% % 3! and: Bess Now, let Cuq be the equivalent capacitance between 4 and B. Then, W,-Vgas oN Ca C26 Let, 3a. ig fq SC 10C ~ Toe 10 » Cae te