Question

A 7.0 µF and a 3.0 µF capacitor are connected in series and this combination is connected in parallel with a 3.9 µF capacitor. What is the net capacitance? in µF

Answer 1

To add this combination of capacitors, you first have to add the two series capacitors together using the equation

`1/(C_(series)) = 1/(C_1) + 1/(C_2) + ...`

so you have:

`1/(C_(series)) = 1/(7 µF) + 1/(3 µF) = 3/(21 µF) + 7/(21 µF) = 10/(21 µF)`

so `C_(series) = (21 µF)/10 = 2.1 µF`

Then you add this series combination to the parallel capacitor using the equation:

`C_(par) = C_1 + C_2 + ...`

so

`C_(eq) = 2.1 µF + 3.9 µF = 6 µF`