Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Deduce an expression for equivalent capacitance C when three capacitors C1, C2 and C3 connected in parallel.
Advertisements
Solution
An expression for effective capacitance in the parallel grouping of capacitors :
Consider three capacitors of capacitance C1 , C2 and C3 are connected in parallel.
Let Q1, Q2 and Q3 be the charges deposited on the capacitors as shown in the figure.

Suppose a potential difference ‘V ’ is applied across the combination. Then, the potential difference between the plates of each capacitor is V but charges on each capacitor are different. Since different current flows through different branches, so the charges are given by
`Q_1 = C_1V.Q_2 = C_2V. Q_3 = C_3V` ....(i)
From the principle of conservation of charge
`Q = Q_1 + Q_2 + Q_3`
`Q = C_1V + C_2V + C_3V` [From equation (i)]
`∴ Q = V(C_1 + C_2 + C_3)`
If these capacitors are replaced by a single capacitor of capacity CP such that `Q = C_PV` then using equation (ii) we have,
`C_PV = V(C_1+C_2+C_3)`
`C_P = C_1+C_2+C_3`
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
The electric field inside a parallel plate capacitor is E. Find the amount of work done in moving a charge q over a closed loop a b c d a.

Three capacitors each of capacitance 9 pF are connected in series.
- What is the total capacitance of the combination?
- What is the potential difference across each capacitor if the combination is connected to a 120 V supply?
The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are given equal positive charges. What will be the potential difference between the plates? What will be the charges on the facing surfaces and on the outer surfaces?
A parallel-plate capacitor having plate area 25 cm2 and separation 1⋅00 mm is connected to a battery of 6⋅0 V. Calculate the charge flown through the battery. How much work has been done by the battery during the process?
Three capacitors of capacitance `C_1 = 3muf` , `C_2 = 6muf` , `C_3 = 10muf` , are connected to a 10V battery as shown in figure 3 below :

Calculate :
(a) Equivalent capacitance.
(b) Electrostatic potential energy stored in the system
Two parallel plate capacitors X and Y, have the same area of plates and same separation between plates. X has air and Y with dielectric of constant 2, between its plates. They are connected in series to a battery of 12 V. The ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y is ______.
Three different capacitors are·connected in series. Then:-
Capacitors connected in series have ______
The total charge on the system of capacitors C1 = 1 µF, C2 = 2 µF, C3 = 4 µF and C4 = 3 µF connected in parallel is ______. (Assume a battery of 20 V is connected to the combination)
Three capacitors of capacitances 2 pF, 3 pF and 4 pF are connected in parallel. What is the total capacitance of the combination?
