---
title: "Four identical capacitors, each with capacitance \\(C\\), are assembled into four distinct network combinations:  – Combination I: All four capacitors connected in parallel. – Combination II: Two parallel pairs of capacitors connected in series with each other. – Combination III: Two series pairs of capacitors connected in parallel with each other. – Combination IV: All four capacitors connected in series.  Each combination is connected across an ideal battery that maintains a constant potential difference \\(V_0\\). Which of the following correctly ranks the total electrostatic energy \\(U\\) stored by the combinations?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118201/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T08:08:08+00:00"
---

# Four identical capacitors, each with capacitance \(C\), are assembled into four distinct network combinations:

– Combination I: All four capacitors connected in parallel.
– Combination II: Two parallel pairs of capacitors connected in series with each other.
– Combination III: Two series pairs of capacitors connected in parallel with each other.
– Combination IV: All four capacitors connected in series.

Each combination is connected across an ideal battery that maintains a constant potential difference \(V_0\). Which of the following correctly ranks the total electrostatic energy \(U\) stored by the combinations?

Four identical capacitors, each with capacitance \(C\), are assembled into four distinct network combinations:

- Combination I: All four capacitors connected in parallel.
- Combination II: Two parallel pairs of capacitors connected in series with each other.
- Combination III: Two series pairs of capacitors connected in parallel with each other.
- Combination IV: All four capacitors connected in series.

Each combination is connected across an ideal battery that maintains a constant potential difference \(V_0\). Which of the following correctly ranks the total electrostatic energy \(U\) stored by the combinations?

![Four separate circuit diagrams labeled I, II, III, and IV, each connected to two terminal dots marked + and - with potential difference V_0. Diagram I shows four vertical capacitor symbols in parallel. Diagram II shows two parallel pairs of capacitor symbols connected in series. Diagram III shows two series pairs of capacitor symbols connected in parallel. Diagram IV shows four capacitor symbols in series along a single wire. Every capacitor symbol is labeled C. No other labels or components appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785830887-BnQko0.jpg)

- **A.** \(U_{\text{I}} > U_{\text{II}} > U_{\text{III}} > U_{\text{IV}}\)
- **B.** \(U_{\text{I}} > U_{\text{III}} > U_{\text{II}} > U_{\text{IV}}\)
- **C.** \(U_{\text{IV}} > U_{\text{II}} = U_{\text{III}} > U_{\text{I}}\)
- **D.** \(U_{\text{I}} > U_{\text{II}} = U_{\text{III}} > U_{\text{IV}}\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118201/*