What is the net charge on a capacitor in a circuit ? Is it ever possible for the charge on one conductor to be different than the charge on the other conductor? Explain.

The net charge on a capacitor in a circuit is always zero. A capacitor consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. When a voltage is applied across the plates, electrons accumulate on one plate, resulting in a negative charge, while an equal number of electrons are removed from the other plate, resulting in a positive charge. This creates an electric field between the plates, and this energy is stored in the electric field.

Now, let's address the second part of your question. In an ideal capacitor, without any external influence or leakage, the charge on one conductor will always be equal and opposite to the charge on the other conductor, ensuring that the net charge on the capacitor is zero. This principle is known as charge conservation.

However, in real-world scenarios, factors such as leakage and internal resistance can cause the charge distribution to deviate from the ideal condition. Leakage current occurs due to the imperfections in the insulating material, leading to a slight discharge of charges. This can cause a small difference in the charge distribution between the conductors, resulting in a non-zero net charge.

Additionally, if the capacitor is connected to a circuit, such as in a charging or discharging process, the charge on each conductor can change over time. When the capacitor is charging, electrons flow from the source to accumulate on one plate while an equal number of electrons are removed from the other plate. As a result, the charge on each conductor becomes temporarily different. However, once the capacitor is fully charged, the charge on both conductors will be equal again, but opposite in sign.

In summary, in an ideal capacitor, the net charge is always zero, and the charge on one conductor is equal and opposite to the charge on the other conductor. However, in real-world scenarios and during charging or discharging processes, the charge distribution may deviate from the ideal condition, leading to temporary differences in charge between the conductors.