Consider three capacitors C1, C2, and C3 and a battery. If
only C1 is connected to the battery, the charge on C1 is 30.0 μC. Now
C1 is disconnected, discharged, and connected in series with C2. When

the series combination of C2 and C1 is connected across the battery, the

charge on C1 is 15.0 μC. The circuit is disconnected, and both capacitors
are discharged. Next, C3, C1, and the battery are connected in series,
resulting in a charge on C1 of 10.0 μC. If, after being disconnected and
discharged, C1, C2, and C3 are connected in series with one another and
with the battery, what is the charge on C1?

Charge on C₁ = charge on all the three capacitors in series with it = 7.5 μC

Explanation:

Since the same voltage in the battery is used for the entire rundown,

From this information "only C₁ is connected to the battery, the charge on C₁ is 30.0 μC",

Q = C₁V = 30 μC

V = (30/C₁)

the series combination of C₂ and C₁ is connected across the battery, the charge on C₁ is 15.0 μC

The charge on both capacitors are the same and equal to 15 μC (because they are in series)

Q = (Ceq) V = 15 μC

(Ceq) = (15/V) μF

The voltage is still the same as in the first connection process

V = (30/C₁)

(Ceq) = (15/V) μF

(Ceq) = 15 ÷ (30/C₁)

(Ceq) = 15 × (C₁/30) = 0.5 C₁

(1/Ceq) = (2/C₁)

For series connection

(1/Ceq) = (1/C₁) + (1/C₂)

(2/C₁) = (1/C₁) + (1/C₂)

(2/C₁) - (1/C₁) = (1/C₂)

(1/C₁) = (1/C₂)

C₁ = C₂

C₂ = C₁

C₃, C₁, and the battery are connected in series, resulting in a charge on C₁ of 10.0 μC.

The charge on both capacitors are the same and equal to 10 μC (because they are in series)

Q = (Ceq) V = 10 μC

(Ceq) = (10/V) μF

The voltage is still the same as in the first connection process

V = (30/C₁)

(Ceq) = (10/V) μF

(Ceq) = 10 ÷ (30/C₁)

(Ceq) = 10 × (C₁/30) = 0.333 C₁

(1/Ceq) = (3/C₁)

For series connection

(1/Ceq) = (1/C₁) + (1/C₃)

(3/C₁) = (1/C₁) + (1/C₃)

(3/C₁) - (1/C₁) = (1/C₃)

(2/C₁) = (1/C₃)

C₁ = 2C₃

C₃ = (C₁/2)

C₁, C₂, and C₃ are connected in series with one another and

with the battery, what is the charge on C₁

The charge on C₁ is the same as the charge on all the capacitors and equal to Q,

Q = (Ceq) V

(1/Ceq) = (1/C₁) + (1/C₂) + (1/C₃)

Substituting for C₂ and C₃

C₂ = C₁ and C₃ = (C₁/2)

(1/C₂) = (1/C₁) and (1/C₃) = (2/C₁)

(1/Ceq) = (1/C₁) + (1/C₁) + (2/C₁)

(1/Ceq) = (4/C₁)

Ceq = (C₁/4)

Q = (Ceq) V = (C₁/4) V

But recall that V = (30/C₁) from the first connection

Q = (C₁/4) (30/C₁)

Q = (30/4) = 7.5 μC

Hope this helps!

d they tend to lose electrons and become cations.

explanation:

nah.   i'm just sleepy.