When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance equals the sum of the individual capacitances. Which statement is true about this arrangement?

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance equals the sum of the individual capacitances. Which statement is true about this arrangement?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for identical capacitors
• D. Depends on the applied voltage

Answer: (A)

Capacitors in parallel share the same voltage across each component, and the total stored charge is the sum of the individual charges. Since each capacitor stores Q_i = C_i × V at the same voltage V, the total charge is Q_total = (C1 + C2 + …) × V. The equivalent capacitance is defined as C_eq = Q_total / V, so C_eq = C1 + C2 + … . This holds for any set of capacitors, regardless of whether they are identical, and it does not depend on the applied voltage within normal operating limits. The other statements don’t fit because the sum rule applies to any values, not just identical capacitors, and the capacitance itself isn’t determined by the applied voltage in ideal capacitors.

Capacitors in parallel share the same voltage across each component, and the total stored charge is the sum of the individual charges. Since each capacitor stores Q_i = C_i × V at the same voltage V, the total charge is Q_total = (C1 + C2 + …) × V. The equivalent capacitance is defined as C_eq = Q_total / V, so C_eq = C1 + C2 + … . This holds for any set of capacitors, regardless of whether they are identical, and it does not depend on the applied voltage within normal operating limits. The other statements don’t fit because the sum rule applies to any values, not just identical capacitors, and the capacitance itself isn’t determined by the applied voltage in ideal capacitors.