# Redistribution of charges when capacitors are connected in series

It is known that when 2 unequally charged capacitors are connected in parallel then the charges redistribute themselves till the voltage across each capacitor becomes equal.

Now if I take 2 capacitors connected in series of capacitance and voltage across each of them (C1,V1) and (C2,V2) respectively such that V1>V2 then what will happen? Will the charges move from higher to lower potential till the potential gets equalised like in case of redistribution of charges in capacitor in parallel combination OR there will be something else?

• Your second paragraph is only true for capacitors in parallel - but your question is about series. Please clarify your question. What are the initial conditions of the two capacitors before they are connected in series? For your third paragraph - are those (V1, V2) the initial conditions? Why do you think they should end up with equal voltage? The confusing way you phrase the question is probably a result of your own confusion. If you can make the question VERY clear, the answer will become obvious (or at least the question becomes answerable). Sep 12, 2016 at 16:52
• This question is not well posed. It contains false statements. Sep 12, 2016 at 18:07
• Sorry for the not posting a good question. Hope now the post is clear to all of you. Sep 12, 2016 at 18:23
• Two capacitors in series, connected together to form a loop, would actually be THE EXACT SAME THING as two capacitors connected in parallel. Draw it on paper, you'll see what I mean....  Doing this with THREE capacitors would be where you gotta start thinking harder.... Jan 8 at 1:59

• >>> In very high voltage circuits one is sometimes forced to use a set of equal capacitors in series as a smoothing circuit; to remove hum. It is imperative to connect high resistance resistors (say 100 M ohms) across each of the capacitors, to equalize the leakage currents and ensure that the capacitors share the high potential equally.  This is true. Us electrical engineers call them "balancing resistors". They also work to drain the caps when power is removed such that one doesn't zap oneself whilst working on the circuit! Jan 8 at 1:58