Final answer:
The energy stored in a capacitor can be found using the formula U = (1/2)CV^2, which applies to various configurations such as series and parallel connections. Equivalent capacitance must be calculated for series connections, while total energy in parallel is the sum of individual energies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy stored in a capacitor can be calculated using the formula U = (1/2)CV^2, where U is the energy in joules, C is the capacitance in farads, and V is the potential difference across the capacitor in volts. To address different scenarios, such as capacitors in series or parallel, or changes in voltage, this formula can be applied accordingly. The energy storage capability of capacitors is a fundamental concept in electric potential energy within the field of electromagnetism.
Example Calculations:
To find the energy stored in a single capacitor, simply substitute the given values of capacitance and voltage into the formula.
For capacitors in series, first calculate the equivalent capacitance before using the energy formula.
For capacitors in parallel, each capacitor has the same voltage across it as the applied voltage, and the energies are added together for the total energy stored.
It's important to be aware of the units being used. Capacitance in farads, voltage in volts, and energy in joules are the standard SI units.