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9.1 Series Combination :
(i) When initially uncharged capacitors are connected as
shown in the combination is called series combination.

(ii) All capacitors will have same charge but different potential difference across then.

(iii) We can say that

Q
V1 =
C1
V1 = potential across C1
Q = charge on positive plate of C1
C1 = capacitance of capacitor similarly

Q Q
V2 = , V3 = ........
C2 C3

1 1 1
(iv) V1 : V2 : V3 = C : C : C
1 2 3

We can say that potential difference across capacitor is inversely proportional to its capacitance in
series combination.

1
V 
C
Note : In series combination the smallest capacitor gets maximum potential.

1
(v) C1
V1
V
1 1 1
   ......
C1 C 2 C3

1
C2
V2
V
1 1 1
   ......
C1 C 2 C 3

1
C3
V3
V
1 1 1
   ......
C1 C 2 C 3

Where V = V1 + V2 + V3
(vi) Equivalent Capacitance :
Equivalent capacitance of any combination is that capacitance which when connected
in place of the combination stores same charge and energy that of the combination.
In series :

1 1 1 1
= + C + C .......
C eq C1 2 3

Note : In series combination equivalent is always less the smallest capacitor of combination.

Capacitance - 14
 (vii) Energy stored in the combination

Q2 Q2 Q2
Ucombination = + +
2C1 2C 2 2C3

Q2
Ucombination =
2C eq

Energy supplied by the battery in charging the combination

Q Q2
Ubattery = Q
% =
C eq C eq

Ucombinatio n 1
Ubattery =
2
Note : Half of the energy supplied by the battery is stored in form of electrostatic energy and half of the energy
is converted into heat through resistance.
Derivation of Formulae :

meaning of equivalent capacitor

Q
Ceq =
V
Now,
Initially, the capacitor has no charge.
Applying kirchhoff-())

Q Q Q
+ + + V = 0.
C1 C2 C3

 1 1 1 
V = Q   
 C1 C 2 C 3 

V 1 1 1
=  
Q C 1 C 2 C 3

1 1 1 1
=  
C eq C1 C 2 C 3

in general
n
1 1
C eq = !Cn
1 n

Capacitance - 15
Example 14. Three initially uncharged capacitors are connected in series as shown in circuit with a battery of emf
30V. Find out following:-
(i) charge flow through the battery,
(ii) potential energy in 3 F capacitor.
(iii) Utotal in capacitors
(iv) heat produced in the circuit

1 1 1 1 3  2 1
Solution : = + + = =1  Ceq = 1F.
C eq 2 3 6 6
(i) Q = Ceq V = 30C.
(ii) charge on 3F capacitor = 30C

Q2 30 30
energy = = = 150J
2C 2 3

30 30
(iii) Utotal = J
2
= 450 J
(iv) Heat produced = (30 C) (30) !#J
= 450 J.
Example 15. Two capacitors of capacitance 1 F and 2F are charged to potential difference 20V and 15V as
shown in figure. If now terminal B and C are connected together terminal A with positive of battery
and D with negative terminal of battery then find out final charges on both the capacitor

Solution : Now applying kirchoff voltage law

( 20  q ) 30  q
 + 30 = 0
1 2
!   
3q = 
Charge flow = . C.
50
Charge on capacitor of capacitance 1F = 20 + q =
3
80
Charge on capacitor of capacitance 2F = 30 + q =
3

9.2 Parallel Combination :

(ii) All capacitors have same potential difference but different charges.
(iii) We can say that :
Q 1 = C 1V
Q1 = Charge on capacitor C1
C1 = Capacitance of capacitor C1
V = Potential across capacitor C1

Capacitance - 16
 (iv) Q1 : Q2 : Q3 = C1 : C2 : C3
The charge on the capacitor is proportional to its capacitance
QC
C1
(v) Q1 = Q
C1  C 2  C 3

C2
Q2 = Q
C1  C 2  C 3

C3
Q3 = Q
C1  C 2  C 3
Where Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 ......
Note : Maximum charge will flow through the capacitor of largest value.
(vi) Equivalent capacitance of parallel combination
Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3
Note : Equivalent capacitance is always greater than the largest capacitor of combination.
(vii) Energy stored in the combination :

1 1 1
Vcombination = C V2 + C2V2 + .... = (C1 + C2 + C3 .....) V2
2 1 2 2

1
= C V2
2 eq
Ubattery = QV = CV2

Ucombinatio n 1
Ubattery =
2
Note : Half of the energy supplied by the battery is stored in form of electrostatic energy and half of the energy
is converted into heat through resistance.
C1
Formulae Derivation for parallel combination :
Q1
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 V C2
0
= C1 V + C2 V + C3 V Q Q2
C3
= V(C1 + C2 + C3) Q3
Q V
= C1 + C2 + C3 V 0
V Q
Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3
In general
n
C eq
!C
n
1
n

Example 16. Three initially uncharged capacitors are connected to a battery of 10 V is parallel combination find
out following
(i) charge flow from the battery
(ii) total energy stored in the capacitors
(iii) heat produced in the circuit
(iv) potential energy in the 3F capacitor.

Capacitance - 17
Solution : (i) Q = (30 + 20 + 10)C
= 60 C

1
(ii) Utotal =


 J
2
(iii) heat produced = 60
  J

1
(iv) U3F =
 

#J
2

9.3 Mixed Combination :

Example 17. In the given circuit find out charge on 6F and 1F capacitor.

Solution : It can be simplified as

18
Ceq = = 2F
9
charge flow through the cell = 30
C
Q = 60 C
Now charge on 3F = Charge on 6F= 60 C
Potential difference across 3F
= 60/ 3= 20 V
 Charge on 1F = 20 C.

Capacitance - 18