if i have two capacitors in parallel with two switches, and a voltage source, what would be the voltages on the two capacitors if at first switch1 is closed and switch2 is open for t<0 and then switch1 opened and switch2 closed at t=0?

 

What do you think about the solution?

What is your calculations?

 

there arent any numbers ... the question just ask to find the voltage on each capacitor in terms of Vs

 

Ok I am going to give a push.

Assume the capacitors are initially discharged (0V across them).
If you close the S1 with S2 open what will happen?
The if you open S1 and close S2 what do you think will happen?

 

So your answer will have to be given in terms of Vs, C1 and C2.

Have you tried to do the calculations?

 

okay, so capacitors in parallel are combined. so my guess would be that the switches are doing the same thing, whether S1 is open and S2 is closed, or vice-versa. so then the vc1 = Vs-vc2 and vc2 = Vs-vc1 ?

 

When S1 is closed and S2 open capacitor C1 will charge up to the supply voltage. When S1 opens and S2 closes charge will flow from C1 to C2 until the voltage on both capacitors is equal.

The formula to find that voltage is:

V=[C1*V1+C2*V2]/(C1+C2)

where V1 and V2 are the initial voltage across C1 and C2 respectively