Explore series and parallel arrangements
Series Combination:
When capacitors are connected in series, the charge $Q$ on each capacitor is the same, but the total potential difference $V$ is shared ($V = V_1 + V_2 + \dots$).
The reciprocal of the total capacitance $C_T$ is given by:
Parallel Combination:
In parallel, the potential difference $V$ across each capacitor is the same. The total charge $Q$ is the sum of the charges on each capacitor ($Q = Q_1 + Q_2 + \dots$).
The total capacitance $C_T$ is given by: