Final answer:
The statement is true for capacitors in parallel, where the total capacitance equals the sum of individual capacitances. For series connection of capacitors, the equivalent capacitance is found differently, using the reciprocal of individual capacitances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the value of the whole capacitor unit equals the sum of all the cells is true only if we are talking about capacitors connected in parallel. When capacitors are connected in a parallel combination, the total capacitance is indeed the sum of the individual capacitances. Each capacitor in this configuration is connected directly to the voltage source, which means they all have the same voltage across them. This allows the charges on the capacitors to be additive, resulting in a total charge that is the sum of the individual charges, Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3. Therefore, for example, combining 1.000 µF, 5.000 µF, and 8.000 µF capacitors in parallel would yield a total capacitance of 14.000 µF.In series connection, however, the situation is different. The total capacitance of capacitors in series is not the sum of the individual capacitances but is instead determined by summing the reciprocals of the individual capacitances to find the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance. This design causes the equivalent capacitance to be less than the smallest individual capacitor's capacitance in the series.