Five identical parallel conducting plates, each of area A , are arranged sequentially with an equal separation d between adjacent plates. Plates 1, 3, and 4 are connected together to a terminal X, while plates 2 and 5 are connected together to a terminal Y. The equivalent capacitance of the system between terminals X and Y is

Step-by-step solution

The five parallel plates form four individual capacitors, each with capacitance C = ₀ A d . Let us identify the connections for each capacitor formed by adjacent plates: 1. Between plates 1 and 2: connected between terminals X and Y. 2. Between plates 2 and 3: connected between terminals Y and X. 3. Between plates 3 and 4: both plates are connected to terminal X. Since there is no potential difference across it, this capacitor is short-circuited and contributes nothing. 4. Between plates 4 and 5: connected between