Capacitors in series and in parallel
"Capacitors in series and in parallel" is a free, interactive Class 12 Physics simulation for NEET and JEE, built on the lesson "Combination of capacitors" in Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance. Switch between series and parallel and change C₂. Each capacitor shows its charge and its voltage. Series: same charge, voltages add, 1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂, so C is less than the smallest. Parallel: same voltage, charges add, C = C₁ + C₂. The rules are the reverse of those for resistors. JEE Main asked 48 questions from this chapter across the 42 shifts Lumi has analysed (2017–2026).
From the lesson Combination of capacitors in Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance. Change the values and watch what happens.
In JEE Main
42 shifts analysed
48 questions from Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance across the 42 JEE Main shifts Lumi has analysed (2017–2026).
The idea behind it
NCERT §2.14
- Series: capacitors joined end to end. Every capacitor carries the same charge Q, because the joined inner plates are an isolated conductor with zero net charge.
- In series the voltages add: V = Q/C₁ + Q/C₂ + …, so 1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂ + … + 1/Cₙ.
- The series combination is smaller than the smallest capacitor in it, and the smallest capacitor takes the largest share of the voltage.
- Parallel: all capacitors share the same potential difference V, and each takes its own charge Qᵢ = CᵢV.
- In parallel the charges add, Q = Q₁ + Q₂ + …, so C = C₁ + C₂ + … + Cₙ.
- Worked value: three 10 μF capacitors in series (10/3 μF) in parallel with a fourth 10 μF give 13.3 μF. On 500 V the series three each hold 1.7 × 10⁻³ C and the fourth holds 5.0 × 10⁻³ C.
- The capacitor rules are the reverse of the resistor rules: series capacitors combine like parallel resistors.
Questions
3 answers
- What does the "Capacitors in series and in parallel" simulation show?
- Switch between series and parallel and change C₂. Each capacitor shows its charge and its voltage.
- Does JEE Main ask questions from Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance?
- Yes. JEE Main asked 48 questions from this chapter across the 42 shifts Lumi has analysed (2017–2026).
- Is this simulation free?
- Yes. It is free and runs in the browser on a phone or a laptop. It belongs to the lesson "Combination of capacitors" in Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance (Class 12 Physics).
Embed this simulation
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