Series and Parallel Capacitor Connections
This page covers the behavior of capacitors when connected in series and parallel configurations.
For series connections of capacitors:
- The total capacitance is less than any individual capacitor.
- Charges on each capacitor are equal.
- The voltage is divided among the capacitors.
- The formula for total capacitance is 1/C_total = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + ...
For parallel connections of capacitors:
- The total capacitance is the sum of individual capacitances.
- Voltages across each capacitor are equal.
- The charge is divided among the capacitors.
- The formula for total capacitance is C_total = C1 + C2 + C3 + ...
Example: In a series connection of two capacitors with capacitances C and 2C, the equivalent capacitance is (2/3)C.
Highlight: In parallel connections, the total charge is the sum of charges on individual capacitors: Q_total = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + ...
The page includes diagrams illustrating both series and parallel connections, along with the relevant formulas for calculating equivalent capacitance and charge distribution.
Vocabulary: Eşdeğer kapasitans (Equivalent capacitance) - The single capacitance value that can replace a combination of capacitors in a circuit.
Definition: Kondansatör seri bağlanması (Series connection of capacitors) occurs when capacitors are connected end-to-end, resulting in a lower total capacitance but higher voltage handling capability.
The page concludes with a note on how changing the distance between capacitor plates affects the capacitance, illustrating the inverse relationship between plate separation and capacitance.