11.8.A—Describe the equivalent capacitance of multiple capacitors

Describe the equivalent capacitance of multiple capacitors.

• A collection of capacitors in a circuit may be analyzed as though it was a single capacitor with an equivalent capacitance Ceq.
  • i. The inverse of the equivalent capacitance of a set of capacitors connected in series is equal to the sum of the inverses of the individual capacitances. Relevant equation:
  • ii. The equivalent capacitance of a set of capacitors in series is less than the capacitance of the smallest capacitor.
  • iii. The equivalent capacitance of a set of capacitors in parallel is the sum of the individual capacitances. Relevant equation:
• As a result of conservation of charge, each of the capacitors in series must have the same magnitude of charge on each plate.