PHYSICS ASSIGNMENT Fatima Mir
Combination of Capacitors:
Two or more capacitors often are combined
in electric circuits. We can calculate the
equivalent capacitance of certain
combinations with the help of a circuit
diagram. The circuit symbols for
capacitors, batteries, and switches are
shown in figure 9.4.
Parallel Combination of capacitors
In a parallel combination of capacitors,
two or more capacitors are connected side by side with their
positive terminals connected together and their negative
terminals connected together. This arrangement allows the
capacitors to share the same voltage across their terminals
while increasing the total capacitance of the combination.
When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total
capacitance (Ctotal) of the combination is the sum of the
individual capacitances (C1, C2, C3, and so on) of the
capacitors connected:
Ctotal = C1+C2+ C3 + ... + Cn
Consider three capacitors connected in parallel combination as
shown in figure 9.5 and all three diagrams are equivalent. We
know that potential differences across each capacitor connected
in parallel are the same and equal to the potential difference
applied across the combination. i.e..
V = V1 = V2 = V3
In general, when a potential difference V is applied across
several capacitors connected in parallel, that potential
difference V is the same across each capacitor. The total
charge Q stored on the equivalent capacitor is the sum of the
charges stored on all the capacitors.
To find an expression for equivalent capacitance Ceq, use the
eq. (9.1) to find the charge on each actual capacitor and
equivalent capacitor.
Q1 = C1V, Q2 = C2V, Q3 = C3V and Q = CeqV
The total charge on the parallel combination is given as
Q = Q1 + Q2+Q3
CeqV = C1V+C2V + C3V
Ceq = C1+C2+C3 .... (9.6)
Therefore, the equivalent
capacitance of a parallel
combination of capacitors is the
algebraic sum of the individual
capacitances and has greater
value than any of the individual capacitances. This
combination is used in the circuit where the high capacitance
is required because equivalent capacitors store more energy.
Series Combination of capacitors
In a series combination of capacitors, two or more capacitors
are connected one after the
other in a single line, with the
positive terminal of one capacitor
connected to the negative
terminal of the next capacitor.
This arrangement allows the
capacitors to share the same charge while effectively reducing
the total capacitance of the combination compared to individual
capacitors.
Three capacitors are connected in series as
shown in Figure 9.6 (a, b, c) and all three
diagrams are equivalent. In series means that
the capacitors are connected by a wire and
there is no other way of flowing of charge.
When a potential V is applied across
them, the same amount Q of charge
will appear on each of the capacitors.
The battery directly produces charges
on only the two plates to which it is
connected. Charges that are
produced on the other plates are due
to the simple impact of electric field induction. Due to this the
charges can be distributed over all other plates connected in the
circuit. Therefore, the charges on capacitors connected in series
are the same.
In general, the total potential difference across any number of
capacitors connected in series is the sum of the potential
differences across the individual capacitors.
V = V1+V2+V3
To find an expression for equivalent capacitance Ceq.
use the eq. (9.1) to find the potential difference across each
actual capacitor and equivalent capacitor.
V1= Q/C1, V2= Q/C2, V3= Q/Ceq, therefore,
We have
Q/Ceq= Q/C1 + Q/C2 + Q/C3
1/Ceq= 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 … … (9.7)
This expression shows that the reciprocal of the equivalent
capacitance is the algebraic sum of the reciprocal of the
individual capacitance. Thus, the equivalent capacitance of a
series combination is always less than any individual
capacitance.
