In series connections, the charge across each capacitor is the same. In contrast, in parallel connections, the voltage across each capacitor is the same. Applications of Capacitors: Series and parallel capacitor connections are crucial for achieving specific capacitance values needed in different electronic devices and power systems.
Figure 6.31; Capacitor in parallel Let’s suppose that three capacitors C1, C2, and C3 are attached to the supply voltage V in a parallel, as has been shown via figure 6.31. If the charge found on all the three capacitors be Q1, Q2, Q3 respectively, then the total charge Q will be equal to the sum of individual charges, i.e.,
Figure 19.6.2 19.6. 2: (a) Capacitors in parallel. Each is connected directly to the voltage source just as if it were all alone, and so the total capacitance in parallel is just the sum of the individual capacitances. (b) The equivalent capacitor has a larger plate area and can therefore hold more charge than the individual capacitors.
Figure 8.3.2 8.3. 2: (a) Three capacitors are connected in parallel. Each capacitor is connected directly to the battery. (b) The charge on the equivalent capacitor is the sum of the charges on the individual capacitors.
We can also define the total capacitance of the parallel circuit from the total stored coulomb charge using the Q = CV equation for charge on a capacitors plates. The total charge QT stored on all the plates equals the sum of the individual stored charges on each capacitor therefore,
Since the capacitors are connected in parallel, they all have the same voltage V across their plates. However, each capacitor in the parallel network may store a different charge. To find the equivalent capacitance Cp C p of the parallel network, we note that the total charge Q stored by the network is the sum of all the individual charges: