Senior High School

General Physics 2
Second Semester - Quarter 3
Capacitors in Series and Parallel

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General Physics 2 – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
First Semester- Quarter 3– Capacitors in Series and Parallel
First Edition, 2021

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 Senior High School

General Physics 2
Second Semester - Quarter 3
Capacitors in Series and Parallel
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, dear learners, can continue your
studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and
discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you
discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will
tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your
facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of
each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys
are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teachers are also provided to our
facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your
home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM.
Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercise and tests. Read the instructions
carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module encourages you to determine the total charge, the charge on, and
the potential difference across each capacitor in the network given the
capacitors connected in series/parallel. It is here to help you master the nature
of General Physics 2. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed
to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
The module has one lesson, namely:
 Total Charge, Charge On, and the Potential Difference Across each
Capacitors Connected in Series or Parallel.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
 identify the total charge, charge on and potential difference across
each capacitor connected in series and parallel;
 solve problems about capacitors connected in series and parallel; and
 appreciate the importance of the knowledge on capacitors and its
application to our daily life.

What I Know

Directions: Read the following questions carefully. Write the letter that corresponds
to your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is NOT true about capacitors?
a. Capacitors can store energy.
b. Capacitors can store charge.
c. Capacitors connected is series have unequal charge.
d. Capacitors connected in parallel have the same voltage drop.
2. In what type of circuit connection should a capacitor be connected in order to
have equal value of charge?
a. Series c. Combination of both
b. Parallel d. All of the above.

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3. Which of the following shows a series connection?

a. c.

b. d.

4. Which of the following shows a parallel connection?

a. c.

b. d.

5. If a 45 F capacitor is connected in series to a voltage source of 120 V, what

would be the charge on the capacitor?
a. 45 C b. 1500C c. 5000 C d. 5400 C
6. If a 45 F and 50 F capacitors are connected in parallel and has a voltage
source of 120 V, what would be the voltage drop across each capacitor?
a. 45 V b. 50V c. 90 V d. 120 V
7. If the charge of a capacitor is 10 C and connected in series to a 120 V source,
what would be the value of its total charge?
a. 10 C b. 12 C c. 120 C d. 1200 C
8. Which of the following terms refers to the difference in the amount of energy
that charge carriers have between two points in a circuit?
a. capacitance c. potential difference
b. charge d. total charge
9. Which of the following terms refers to the amount of energy that passes from
one body to another by different modes?
a. capacitance c. potential difference
b. charge d. total charge

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10. Which of the following terms refers to the ratio of electric charge in each
conductor to the potential difference between them?
a. capacitance c. potential difference

b. charge d. total charge

11. Which of the following terms refers to the sum of all the charges present on a
body?
a. capacitance c. potential difference

b. charge d. total charge

12. In which type of connection would have a component connected in a multiple

path?
a. close b. open c. parallel d. series

13. In which type of connection would have a component connected along a single
conductive path?
a. close b. open c. parallel d. series

14. Which of the following is CORRECT about capacitors connected in series?

a. QT = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 c. QT = Q1 + Q2 + Q 3

b. VT = V1 = V2 = V3 d. Ce = C1 + C2 + C3

15. Which of the following is CORRECT about capacitors connected in parallel?

a. QT = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 c. VT = V1 + V2 + V 3

b. VT = V1 = V2 = V3 d. 1/Ce = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3

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 What’s In

In the previous lessons, you have learned about the equivalent capacitance of a
network of capacitors connected in series and parallel. Let us review first about this before
proceeding to the next topic.

Directions: Solve what is being asked on the following problems.

1. Find the total capacitance for three capacitors connected in series, given their
individual capacitances are 1.5 F , 4.00 F , and 7.00 F .

2. Find the net capacitance for three capacitors connected in parallel, given their
individual capacitances are 1.5 F , 4.00 F , and 7.00 F .

What’s New

Directions: Analyse and identify the difference/s between the two given
illustrations below.

Figure A Figure B

For reference: V – voltage C – Capacitance q – charge

Difference/s between illustration A and illustration B:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Now that you have an idea about capacitors connected in series and parallel circuit,
let us expound each concept more.
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 What Is It

Total Charge, Charge On, and Potential

Lesson Difference Across each Capacitor
Connected in Series and Parallel
A capacitor is a device which has the ability or capacity to store electrical
charge and electrical energy. There are different kinds of capacitors available
from very small capacitor to large power factor capacitor, but they all do the same
thing, they store charge.

For this module, we will be focusing on the total charge, charge on, and
potential difference across a capacitor connected in series and parallel.

Capacitors Connected in Series and Parallel

Capacitors can be arranged in two simple and common types of connections
known as series and parallel.

The connection made in

between the capacitors placed in
one single line can be defined as
capacitors connected in series.

Capacitors are connected

together in parallel when both of its
terminals are connected to each
terminal of another capacitor.

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 Total Charge and Charge On
The amount of charge (Q) stored is dependent upon the capacitance (C) of
the capacitor and the voltage (V) of the source. That is Q=CV, where Q (Charge
in Coulombs) = C (Capacitance in Farads) x V (Voltage in Volts).

Capacitors connected in Series Capacitors connected in Parallel

The capacitor connected in a series When the capacitors are con-

usually possesses less amount of ca-
pacitance. When these connec-
tions are made the current flowing
through the circuit is the same. Hence
the charged stored around each ca-
pacitors is also the same.
nected in parallel, each of the capaci-
tors in the circuit has direct interac-
tion with the conductor. This results in
the potential of the capacitor to re-
main the same. Thus the capacitors have
the same charges on them as they
would have if connected individually to
the voltage source. The total charge is
the sum of the individual charges.

Formula: Formula:
QTotal = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 QTotal = Q1 + Q2 + Q3
The total charge is equal to the The total charge is equal to the sum of
charges on the capacitors. the charges on the capacitors.

Sample Problem: Sample Problem:

What is the total charge (QT) and the What is the total charge (QT) and the
charge on each capacitor? charge on across each capacitor?

Given: Given:
VT= 25 V VT= 25 V

QTotal, Q1, Q2, Q3 = ? QTotal, Q1, Q2, Q3 = ?

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Solution: Solution:
Find the value of QT (charge) first. Find the value of QT (charge) first.
QT= CeV QT= CeV
QT= (C1 + C2 + C3 )V
QT= (3F + 5F + 7F ) (25 V)
QT = (15 F ) (25V)
QT = 375 C

Q1 = ( 3 F) (25 V) = 75 C
Q2 = ( 5 F) (25 V) = 125 C
For series circuits:
Q3 = ( 7 F) (25 V) = 175 C
QTotal=Q1=Q2=Q3= 36.75 C

Potential Difference
Potential difference is the energy used between two points in a circuit. It is
measured in volts (V) and is also called voltage.

Capacitors connected in Series Capacitors connected in Parallel

For capacitors in series, the voltage When connected in parallel, all the
of the source will be divided across each capacitors have the same potential dif-
of the individual capacitors. The ference across them. And each is equal
voltage drop across each capacitor will to the voltage of the battery.
be different and is dependent upon the
values of the individual capacitance.

Formula: Formula:
VTotal = V1 + V2 + V3 VTotal = V1 = V2 = V3

The total voltage is equal to the sum The total voltage is equal to the volt-
of the voltages. ages across each capacitors.

7
Capacitors connected in Series Capacitors connected in Parallel

Sample Problem: Sample Problem:

What is the voltage across each Find the total voltage and voltages
capacitor? (QT = 36.75 C ) across each capacitor if the total charge
is 375 C?

V=?

Given:
Given:
VT = 25 V
QTotal = 375 C

QTotal = 36.75 C VT , V1, V2, V3 = ?

V1, V2, V3 = ?
Solution:

Solution:

VT =V1= V2= V3 = 25 V

VT = 12.25 V + 7.35 V + 5.25 V = 25 V

8
 What’s More

Independent Activity 1

Directions: Complete the table below by giving what will happen to the charge ,
total charge and potential difference across the capacitor if it is
connected in series and in parallel circuit.

Capacitor connected in Capacitor connected in

Determinants
Series Parallel

Charge On

Total Charge

Potential
Difference

Independent Assessment 1

Directions: Read the following statements carefully. Write TRUE if the statement
is correct and FALSE if it is incorrect.

________1. The charge in each capacitor is the same if it is connected in parallel

circuit.

________2. A capacitor is a device that stores charge and energy.

________3. Two capacitors with unequal capacitance connected in series will have
the same charge stored in it.

________4. Two capacitors with unequal capacitance connected in parallel will

have the same voltage drop in it.

________5. The total charge of capacitors connected in parallel is equal to the

charge on across each capacitor.

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Independent Activity 2

Directions: Make an illustration showing the given values of capacitors connected

in series and in parallel. Then solve for the total charge , charge on and
voltage drop across each capacitor.

Given: V = 9V , C1 = 2 F , C2 = 3 F

Illustration Computation

Series

Parallel

Independent Assessment 2
Directions: Solve for the following problems.
1. What would be the potential difference between the plates of the capacitor if it
stored 28 F and the charge on each plate is 2000 C?

2. Two capacitors with 3.5 F and 6 F capacitance respectively are connected in

series and subjected to a total potential difference of 100 V. Find the charge
stored in each capacitor and the potential difference across each capacitor.

10
 What I Have Learned

Directions: Complete the table below by filling out the numbers provided.

3-2-1 Activity
3 Things You have 1 Question You still
2 Important Details about
Learned about Capacitors Have about Capacitors
Capacitors Connected in
Connected in Series and Connected in Series
Series and Parallel
Parallel and Parallel

1.
1.
2. 1.
2.
3.

What I Can Do

A capacitor is one of the most important components to understand

because they are widely used throughout basically every area of electronics. Did
you know that the touch screen of your laptops, cellphones, and other similar
devices works on the principle of series combination of capacitors. The position of
a touch is detected using an array of capacitors. These capacitors are designed
so that the electric field lines are not entirely contained within the capacitor,
instead spreading out to just beyond the surface of the screen.

After understanding the concepts of capacitors connected in series and

parallel, you can now identify some of their uses in our daily living. Can you give
examples of practical application of capacitors? 1,2,3 ! Great job!

11
 Assessment

A. Directions: Read each statement carefully. Write the letter that corresponds
to your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following values will remain the same if the capacitors were
connected in series?
a. capacitance c. potential difference
b. charge d. total charge
2. Which of the following values will vary if the capacitors were connected in
parallel?
a. capacitance c. resistance
b. charge d. voltage across each capacitor
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE about capacitors connected in
series?
a. Voltage drop is equal across each capacitor.
b. Total charge value is different with the charge across each capacitor.
c. Total charge is equal to the sum of all charge on across each capacitor.
d. Potential difference is equal to the sum of voltage drop across each
capacitor.
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE about capacitors connected in
parallel?
a. The charge on each capacitor is the same.
b. Total charge is equal to charge on each capacitor.
c. Total charge is equal to the sum of all charge on across each capacitor.
d. The battery voltage is equal to the sum of the voltage across each
capacitor.
5. If capacitors are connected in parallel, what would be the potential difference
across each capacitors?
a. same c. infinite
b. different d. zero

B. Directions: Solve for the following problems.

1. Calculate the charge in the circuit.

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2. Calculate the total charge and charge on across each capacitor in the circuit.

Additional Activities

Directions: Answer the question below.

Which is safer and more reliable to use, parallel connections or series

connections? Explain why?

13
 14
Whats In Independent Activity 2
1. Ce = 0.94 F A. Series
2. Ce = 12.5 F QT = 11. 08 C
V T = 9V
What I Know V 1 = 5.54 V
1. C 9. B V2 = 3.46 V
2. A 10. A B. Parallel
3. A 11. D QT = 46.8 C
4. B 12. C Q1 = 18 C
5. D 13. D Q2 = 28.8 C
6. D 14. A V T = 9V
7. A 15. B
Independent Assessment 2
1. VT = 71 V
2. QT = 221 C
V3.5 =63.14 V
V 6= 36.83 V
What I Have Learned
(Answer may vary)
Assessment
A.
1. B
2. D
3. D
8. C 4. C
5. A
Independent Activity 1 B.
1. 39.75 C
Independent Assessment 1 2. QT = 780 C
1. FALSE Q1 = 150 C
2. TRUE Q2 = 270 C
3. TRUE Q3 = 360 C
4. TRUE
5. FALSE Additional activity
(Answer may Vary)
Answer Key
 Appendix
Appendix A: Scoring Rubric for Open-Ended Questions

Criteria 4 3 2 1

Key concepts Key concepts , Some concepts, Few or no

and ideas are issues and issues and concepts,
thoroughly iden- ideas are ideas are issues and
Knowledge of evidence tified, defined identified, thoroughly ideas are
from the concept and described. defined and identified, thoroughly
described. defined and identified,
described. defined and
described.
Uses Uses partial Uses unclear , Important
appropriate and critical thinking inappropriate, or evidence
comprehensive skills to ana- incomplete relevant to the
Reasoning: analysis critical thinking lyze. critical thinking problem is not
skills to analyze. skills to analyze. identified.

Writing shows Writing shows Inadequate Little or no

Communication: substantial adequate evidence of evidence of
evidence of evidence of organization. organization.
Demonstrated
organization. organization.
knowledge of reasoning
through organization
and details in writing.

15
 References
Chemistry LibreTexts, “Capacitors in Series and in Parallel”, November 06, 2020,
https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/
University_Physics?Book%3A_University_Physics_(Openstax)/Map%
3A_University_Physics_II_-_Thermodynamics_Electricity_and_Magnetism_
(Openstax)/08%3A_Capacitance/8.03%
3A_Capacitors_in_Series_and_in_Parallel
Lumen Physics, “Capacitors in Series and Parallel”, https://
courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/19-6-capacitors-in-series-and-
parallel/
Silverio, Angelina A. General Physics 2 Exploring Life Through Science Series.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2016
University Physics Volume 2, “Capacitors in Series and in Parallel”, https://
opentextbc.ca/universityphysicsv2openstax/chapter/capacitors-in-series-and
-in-parallel/
WatElectronics.com, ” Capacitors in Series, Parallel Their Working and
Examples”,2018, https://www.watelectronics.com/capacitors-in-series-
parallel-their-working-and-examples/

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