The Basic lessons · Basic electronics and theory · B-005-009

Combining Inductors and Capacitors

Learn how to calculate total inductance and capacitance when connecting components in series or parallel. Understand the physical factors that determine a component's value and how to safely use polarized capacitors.

This lesson is part of SignalPrep Pro. The subsection's 11 exam questions are free to practise: practise B-005-009.

What this subsection asks

• If two equal-value inductors are connected in series, what is their total inductance?
• If two equal-value inductors are connected in parallel, what is their total inductance?
• If two equal-value capacitors are connected in series, what is their total capacitance?
• If two equal-value capacitors are connected in parallel, what is their total capacitance?
• You are constructing an air-core inductor using a coil of wire. What parameters determine its inductance?
• A capacitor is made of two identical metal plates separated by air. What parameters determine its capacitance?
• What precaution must you take when using polarized electrolytic capacitors?
• If you wire two 12-millihenry chokes in series, what is the inductance of the combination?
• If you wire two 20-millihenry inductors in parallel, what is the inductance of the combination?
• If you wire two 20-microfarad capacitors in series, what is the capacity of the combination?
• If you wire two 24-microfarad capacitors in parallel, what is the capacity of the combination?