Question

When two capacitors are connected in parallel across a 13.5 V rms, 1.33 kHz oscillator, the oscillator supplies a total rms current of 556 mA . When the same two capacitors are connected to the oscillator in series, the oscillator supplies an rms current of 123 mA . What are the values of the two capacitors?

Answer 1

We know that I_rms = V_rms / |Z| , where |Z| = 1/C

So I_rms = V_rmsC

For parallel cannection C = C₁ + C₂

=> 0.556 = 2*1330(C₁+C₂)

=> C₁+C₂ = 66.5 F - eq 1

Now for series connection C = C₁C₂/(C₁+C₂)

=> 0.123 =  2*1330*C₁C₂/(C₁+C₂)

=> C₁C₂/(C₁+C₂) = 14.7 F - eq 2

Solving eq 1 and 2 we get

C₁ = 44.26 F

C₂ = 21.93 F