A student is given three identical capacitors, each having a capacitance C . By connecting all three capacitors together in various configurations, different equivalent capacitances can be obtained. Which of the following equivalent capacitances CANNOT be obtained using all three capacitors?

Step-by-step solution

Using three identical capacitors of capacitance C , there are exactly four possible configurations that use all three components: 1. All three in series: C_ eq = C 3 2. All three in parallel: C_ eq = C + C + C = 3C 3. Two in series, connected in parallel with the third: C_ eq = C 2 + C = 3C 2 4. Two in parallel, connected in series with the third: C_ eq = (2C C) 2C + C = 2C 3 Comparing these valid results with the given options, 4C 3 is not a possible equivalent capacitance. Answer: 4C 3