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Re: Real data from real experiments.
Brent Turner asked:
> two *identical value* caps in series yields a total capacitance
> of 1/2 of the value. So, for a 1 uF cap, that gives us a total
> value of 0.5 uF.
>
> I guess at this point, I can ask a related question:
>
> "When two identical capacitors are hooked in series, where does 1/2
> of the capacitance go?"
>
Same place that "lost" potential energy went - absolutely nowhere!
Not withstanding Jack C's attempts to explain away the experimental
results with "spark losses", etc. the lost energy is a red herring.
The POTENTIAL energy is merely redistributed over both caps, becoming
less useful to perform work. You could also say the fully charged
cap performed work in charging the second cap, storing the energy
in the elusive field...
I think the whole issue is sort of like the bellhop's "extra"
dollar, if you all remember that old puzzle.
On the two caps in series? Seriously, if you will, visualize
it first as two caps connected by a length of wire; next with
the two connected plates and wire replaced by a single plate
in the middle, with the original dielectrics on each side of it;
finally, slide out the (zero-thickness) "extra" plate. You
have the two outer plates, separated by a double-thick dielectric
layer. Half the capacitance...
Dave