If three capacitors are connected in parallel with values 2 μF, 3 μF, and 5 μF, what is the total capacitance?

If three capacitors are connected in parallel with values 2 μF, 3 μF, and 5 μF, what is the total capacitance?

• A. 6 μF
• B. 8 μF
• C. 10 μF
• D. 12 μF

Answer: (C)

When capacitors are connected in parallel, their capacitances simply add together, since each capacitor stores charge at the same voltage and the total storage is the sum of the individual storages. So you add the values: 2 μF + 3 μF + 5 μF = 10 μF. The total capacitance is 10 μF, which is why the correct result is that value. If you see other numbers, they’d come from misapplying the rule (for example, mixing series logic—which adds differently—or omitting one capacitor).

When capacitors are connected in parallel, their capacitances simply add together, since each capacitor stores charge at the same voltage and the total storage is the sum of the individual storages. So you add the values: 2 μF + 3 μF + 5 μF = 10 μF. The total capacitance is 10 μF, which is why the correct result is that value. If you see other numbers, they’d come from misapplying the rule (for example, mixing series logic—which adds differently—or omitting one capacitor).