A student claims that when three unequal capacitors are connected in series
PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Problem
A student claims that when three unequal capacitors are connected in series, the equivalent capacitance is always less than the smallest individual capacitance. Which of the following best explains why the claim is correct?
(a) Because charge divides inversely among the capacitors, reducing the total charge that can be stored.
(b) Because connecting capacitors in series is analogous to connecting resistors in parallel, so their values decrease accordingly.
(c) Because the reciprocal of each capacitance adds, making the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance larger than any individual reciprocal.
(d) Because the electric field between the plates of the largest capacitor cancels part of the field in the others.