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Q.When three capacitors are connected in

(a) series and
(b) parallel, derive the expressions for the equivalent capacitances. (2½+2½)
Odisha ChseOdisha CHSE +2 Science Board Exam 2026Subjective· 5mImportance★★★★★
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In series, the same charge sits on each capacitor and voltages add, giving reciprocal capacitances adding; in parallel, the same voltage appears across each and charges add, giving capacitances adding directly.

  1. Series combination: When three capacitors C1,C2,C3C_1, C_2, C_3 are connected in series across a source of voltage VV, the same charge QQ flows onto each capacitor (charge is induced by influence along the series chain, plate to plate), while the source voltage is shared as the sum of the individual voltage drops: V=V1+V2+V3V = V_1+V_2+V_3 Since V1=Q/C1V_1 = Q/C_1, V2=Q/C2V_2=Q/C_2, V3=Q/C3V_3=Q/C_3, and for the equivalent single capacitor V=Q/CeqV = Q/C_{eq}: QCeq=QC1+QC2+QC3\dfrac{Q}{C_{eq}} = \dfrac{Q}{C_1}+\dfrac{Q}{C_2}+\dfrac{Q}{C_3} Dividing through by QQ: 1Ceq=1C1+1C2+1C3\dfrac{1}{C_{eq}} = \dfrac{1}{C_1}+\dfrac{1}{C_2}+\dfrac{1}{C_3} (The equivalent series capacitance is always smaller than the smallest individual capacitance.)
  2. Parallel combination: …

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