INTRODUCTION

Capacitors are pivotal components in electrical and electronic circuits, serving as crucial
elements for energy storage and management. Their primary function is to store
electrical energy in an electric field, which can then be released or regulated as needed
within a circuit. The waycapacitors are connected in a can significantly influence their
overall behaviour and effectiveness. This project focuses on exploring two fundamental
configurations of capacitors: series and parallel combinations.

In a series combination, capacitors are arranged end-to-end, meaning the positive

terminal of one capacitor is connected to the negative terminal of the next. This
arrangement impacts the total capacitance of the circuit in a unique manner. The
combined effect is such that the total capacitance is less than any individual capacitor
in the series. This is because the total capacitance in a series arrangement is given by the
reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual capacitances. Thus, adding
more capacitors in series results in a lower total capacitance.

Conversely, in a parallel combination, capacitors are connected such fthat all their
positive terminals are linked together, and all their negative terminals are connected as
well. In this configuration, the total capacitance is simply the sum of the individual
capacitances. This means that connecting capacitors in parallel increases the total
capacitance, as each capacitor contributes to the overall charge storage capacity of the
circuit.
 AIM

To verify laws of series and parallel combination of capacitors.

Materials Required

1. Capacitors (470 uF)

2. Multi-meter

3. Soldering iron

4. Wire piece
 THEORY

1. Parallel Combination of Capacitors:

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the potential difference V across each Capacitor is same
and the charge on C1 and C2 is different i.e ., Q1 and Q2.

Parallel combination of Capacitors

The total charge in Q is Given as:

Q = Q1 + Q2

Q = C1V + C2V

Q/V= C1 + C2

The equivalent capacitance between a and b is:

C = C1 + C2

In the case of more than two capacitors,

C = C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 + C5 +……….
 2. Series Combination of Capacitors:

When capacitors are connected in series, the magnitude of charge Q on each capacitor is same. The
potential difference across C1 and C2 is different i.e ., V1 and V2.

Series combination of Capacitors

Q = C1V1 = C2V2

The total potential difference across combination is:

V = V1 + V2

V = Q/C1 + Q/C2

V/Q = 1/C1 + 1/C2

The ratio Q / V is called as the equivalent capacitance C between point a and b.

The equivalent capacitance C is given by:

1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2

The potential difference across C1 and C2 is V1 and V2 respectively, is

given as follows:

V1 = [C2/(C1+C2)]V

V2 = [C1/(C1+C2)]V

In the case of more than two capacitors, the relation is:

1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + 1/C4 + 1/C5 +……………

 PROCEDURE

1. Take 6 identical capacitors, measure capacitance of these capacitors by multi-meter.

2. We have to connect the first 3 capacitors in parallel (circuit-1) and another 3 in series(circuit-
2).

3. We can connect the capacitors by the use of soldering iron, capacitors can be connected by
putting the melted wire pieces over the connections with the help of soldering iron.

4. Once the capacitors are connected, leave the circuit as it takes a few seconds for it to
become solid at all its ends.

5. Take a digital multi-meter and connect it across the terminals of the prepared Circuit-1 and
Circuit-2.

6. Set the multi-meter over the capacitance option so as to obtain the value of the associated
capacitance of the circuit.

7. Keep the multi-meter at same terminals for a while so that précised value of capacitance can
be observed.

8. Once value of capacitance obtained on multi-meter, compare it with the theoretically

calculated value.
 CALCULATION

o Parallel Combination

C1 = 470μF

C2 = 470μF

C3 = 470μF

Net Capacitance in Parallel Combination:

Cp = C1 + C2 + C3

Cp = 470μF + 470μF + 470μF

Cp = 1410μF

o Series Combination

C1 = 470μF

C2 = 470μF

C3 = 470μF

Net Capacitance in Series Combination:

1/Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3

1/Cs = 1/470μF + 1/470μF + 1/470μF

Cs = 156.66μF
 OBSERVATION TABLE

Combination of Experimental Value Theoretical Value

Capacitor of Capacitance of Capacitance

Parallel 1413.5μF 1410μF

Series 153.2μF 156.66μF

RESULTS

Capacitance in Parallel(Cs) =153.2μF

Capacitance in Series (Cp) = 1413.5μF

 CONCLUSION

The project successfully validated the theoretical laws of capacitor combinations. For the
parallel configuration, the theoretical capacitance of 1410μF closely matched the
experimental value of 1413.5μF, confirming that Cp = C1 + C2 + C3 is accurate. In the series
configuration, the theoretical capacitance of 156.66μF was near the experimental value of
153.2μF, validating the formula
1/Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3.

Minor differences between theoretical and experimental values are attributed to

measurement inaccuracies and component tolerances. Overall, the results support the
accuracy of the capacitor combination laws in practical applications.
 PRECAUTIONS

o Make sure all connections are neat and tight to avoid measurement errors.

o Set the soldering iron to an appropriate temperature to prevent damage to

components.

o Ensure solder joints are clean and solid to avoid loose connections.

o Keep multi-meter probes clean and in good condition to prevent faulty

readings.

o Double-check circuit arrangements to ensure correct series or parallel

configurations.

o Avoid overheating capacitors during soldering to prevent performance

degradation.

o Calibrate the multi-meter before starting the experiment to avoid systematic

errors.

o Record all readings and observations carefully for accurate comparison with
theoretical values.
 Bibliography

➢ NCERT textbook class 12

➢ www.google.com
➢ Wikipedia.com
➢ www.YouTube.Com
➢ https://study.com
➢ https://byjus.com
 Topic

Parallel and series Combination of capacitor

 INDEX

S.NO. Content
1. Certificate

2. Acknowledgement

3. Topic

4. Introduction

5. Aim

6. Material Required

7. Theory

8. Procedure

9. Calculation

10. Observation

11. Result

12. Conclusion

13. Precautions

14. Bibliography
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my immense gratitude to my Physics teacher R.K. Sharma for the help
and guidance he/she provided for completing this project.
I also thank my parents who gave their ideas and inputs in making this project. Most of all I
thank our school management, for providing us the facilities and opportunity to do this
project.
Lastly, I would like to thanks my classmates who have done this project along with me. Their
support made this project fruitful.

- Shorya Bansal
 Ramanlal Shorawala Public School
CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that

Shorya Bansal
has successfully completed his/her Physics project titled
PARALLEL AND SERIES COMBINATION OF CAPACITOR
under the supervision and guidance of R.K. Sharma
in the partial fulfillment of the Physics practical
assessment conducted during the academic year
2024-2025.

EXTERNAL EXAMINER TEACHER IN CHARGE