Let C₁ = 4.0 F and C₂ = 6.0 F in the figure. Determine the equivalent capacitance of the combinations (a) and (b) between the indicated points.

Step-by-step solution

In circuit (a), the arrangement consists of two parallel groups connected in series. The first parallel group has C₁ and C₂ , giving an equivalent capacitance C_ p1 = 4.0 + 6.0 = 10.0 F . The second parallel group also has C₁ and C₂ , giving C_ p2 = 4.0 + 6.0 = 10.0 F . The total equivalent capacitance for (a) is the series combination of C_ p1 and C_ p2 : C_a = 10.0 10.0 10.0 + 10.0 = 5.0 F In circuit (b), the arrangement consists of two branches connected in parallel across the main terminals. Each branch is iden