Question

What is the equivalent capacitance (Ceq) of three capacitors, each of the same capacitance (C), if they are connected to a battery first in series, and then in parallel? Which configuration has the highest maximum charge if connected to the same source of EMF used to charge both of the configurations is the same?

The answer to this question should be written in complete sentences, and requires no formulas in the solution.

Answer 1

Parallel - Ceq = 3 C because the capacitance of the combination is Q / C by definition - each capacitor will have a charge Q and a voltage V

Series - Ceq = C / 3 each capacitor will have V/3 across its terminals because the voltage drop across the capacitors in series must be V

Note: 1 / Ceq = 1 / C + 1 / C + 1 / C = 3 / C and Cq = C / 3