Combination of Capacitors

1. Parallel Combination
The flow of charges ceases when the voltage across the capacitors
equals
that of the battery.
The potential difference across the capacitors is the same.
 And each is equal to the voltage of the battery
 ΔV1 = ΔV2 = ΔV
ΔVis the battery terminal voltage
The capacitors reach their maximum charge when the flow of charge
ceased.The total charge is equal to the sum of the charges on the
capacitors.
 Qtotal = Q1 + Q2
The capacitors can be replaced with one capacitor with a capacitance of Ceq.
 The equivalent capacitor must have exactly the same external
effect on the circuit as the original capacitors.

 The equivalent capacitance of a parallel combination of capacitors is greater than any of

the individual capacitors.
C eq=C 1 +C2

2. Series Combination

The sum of the potential difference across each capacitor is equal

to the terminal voltage.
∆ V =¿ ΔV1 + ΔV2
The total charge is equal to each individual charges gained by
each capacitors.
Qtotal = Q1 = Q2
The equivalent capacitance of a series combination is lesser than
any individual capacitor in the combination.
1 1 1
= +
Ceq C 1 C2

SAMPLE PROBLEM

1. A parallel plate capacitor has plates 2.00 m2 in area, separated by a distance of 5.00 mm.
A potential difference of 10,000 V is applied across the capacitor. Determine
a. the capacitance
 b. the charge on each plate

2. Determine the equivalent capacitance.

a. Equivalent capacitance
b. Voltage across each capacitor
c. Charge across each capacitor
d. Total charge

3. Determine the equivalent capacitance.

a. Equivalent capacitance
b. Voltage across each capacitor
c. Charge across each capacitor
d. Total charge
4. Determine the following:
a. Equivalent capacitance
b. Voltage across each capacitor
c. Charge across each capacitor
d. Total charge