Capacitor Combinations

How to Use

• C1, C2, C3 sliders — set each capacitor value (1–100 µF).
• C3 toggle — add or remove the third capacitor to compare 2 vs 3 element combinations.
• Top panel shows the series configuration; bottom panel shows parallel.

What to Observe

• Series equivalent is always less than the smallest individual capacitor.
• Parallel equivalent equals the sum of all capacitors.
• This is the opposite of resistors: resistors in series add directly, in parallel add reciprocally.

Key Equations

Series: [\frac{1}{C_{eq}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3}]

Parallel: [C_{eq} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3]