Final answer:
To store a large amount of energy in a capacitor bank, capacitors should be connected in parallel because this increases the total capacitance, which in turn increases energy storage capacity. The correct option is (b) Parallel, because it increases capacitance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how to store a large amount of energy in a capacitor bank, it's crucial to understand the effects of connecting capacitors in series versus parallel. In a parallel connection, the total capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitors' capacitances. As the formula for the energy stored in a capacitor (E = 0.5 * C * V2) suggests, a higher capacitance results in more energy storage for a given voltage.
Conversely, when capacitors are connected in series, the total capacitance decreases. This is due to the inverse of the total capacitance being the sum of the inverses of the individual capacitances. Therefore, connecting capacitors in series would not be beneficial for maximizing energy storage as it reduces the overall capacitance.
To maximize the energy stored in a capacitor bank, one would therefore connect the capacitors in parallel. This arrangement increases the total capacitance of the bank, allowing for a greater amount of energy to be stored. The correct option for the question is (b) Parallel, because it increases capacitance.