How should capacitors be added in series?

How should capacitors be added in series?

• A. The same as resistors.
• B. In parallel to each other.
• C. Across a DC supply.
• D. Using diodes.

Answer: (A)

Capacitors in series share the same current. When you connect them end-to-end, the charging path forces the same current through every capacitor, so the charge on each capacitor ends up equal. The voltages across the capacitors then add up to the total supply voltage, with the split determined by their capacitances: larger capacitance carries less voltage, smaller carries more. The overall capacitance in series is smaller than any individual capacitor, given by 1/C_eq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... . This is why connecting capacitors the same way you connect resistors in series is the correct approach: the current remains the same through all components, and the total capacitance reflects the reciprocal sum.

Capacitors in series share the same current. When you connect them end-to-end, the charging path forces the same current through every capacitor, so the charge on each capacitor ends up equal. The voltages across the capacitors then add up to the total supply voltage, with the split determined by their capacitances: larger capacitance carries less voltage, smaller carries more. The overall capacitance in series is smaller than any individual capacitor, given by 1/C_eq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... . This is why connecting capacitors the same way you connect resistors in series is the correct approach: the current remains the same through all components, and the total capacitance reflects the reciprocal sum.