Series: Charge is the same on each capacitor ($Q_{total} = Q_1 = Q_2 = Q_3 = ...$) | Parallel: Total charge is the sum of charges on each capacitor ($Q_{total} = Q_1 + Q_2 + Q_3 + ...$)

Series: $\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...$ | Parallel: $C_{total} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3 + ...$

Initial State: Current flows freely, capacitor is uncharged | Steady State: No current flows, capacitor is fully charged and acts as an open circuit.

Series: Voltage is split across each capacitor. | Parallel: Voltage is the same across each capacitor.

Series: Current is the same through each capacitor. | Parallel: Current divides through each capacitor.

Initially, current flows freely into the uncharged capacitor. As the capacitor charges, the current decreases exponentially. Eventually, the capacitor reaches steady state, where its voltage equals the source voltage and current flow stops.

When a charged capacitor discharges through a resistor, the charge, voltage, and current decrease exponentially with time. The rate of discharge is determined by the time constant τ = RC.

Use the reciprocal formula: $\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...$

Add the capacitances directly: $C_{total} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3 + ...$

Initially, current flows and the capacitor charges. As it charges, the current decreases. At steady state, the capacitor is fully charged, blocks DC current, and acts like an open circuit.

Increasing resistance increases the time constant, slowing down the charging/discharging process.

Increasing capacitance increases the time constant, slowing down the charging/discharging process and allowing it to store more charge.

The capacitor blocks DC current, acting like an open circuit.

Current flows freely through the circuit.

The total capacitance increases, allowing the circuit to store more charge at a given voltage.