Consider two capacitors `: C_(1) = 10 mu C` and `C_(2) = 40 mu F`. What is the equivalent capacitance if the two are connected.
(1) in parallel ?
(2) in series ?
(3) If the two are connected in series to a 9.0 volt battery what are the charges `Q_(1)` and `Q_(2)` stored on the two capacitors ?

Explanation

(a) `C_(eq) = C_(1)=C_(2) = 10 + 40 = 50 muF`
(b) `C_(eq) = ( C_(1) C_(2))/( C_(1)+C_(2)) = ( 10 xx 40 )/( ( 10+ 40)) = ( 400)/( 500 = 8 mu F`
(c ) `Q = C_(eq) V = 8 xx 9 = 72 mu C`