🔍 Key Concepts

• Bypass capacitor purpose in a circuit (what it does to AC vs. DC) • Where bypass capacitors are usually connected in relation to signal path and ground • Difference between a coupling capacitor (series in signal path) and a bypass capacitor (shunt to ground)

💭 Think About

• Look at each capacitor and ask: is it in series with the signal path or is it connected from a node to ground? • Which component appears to be stabilizing or smoothing a DC bias or supply point by shunting AC to ground? • Does the capacitor appear to be allowing AC around (bypassing) a resistor or other component that sets bias?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which capacitor is connected from a bias or supply node to ground rather than in series with the input or output signal. • Check if any capacitor is placed across a resistor (especially an emitter, cathode, or source resistor) to provide an AC path around it. • Confirm that the chosen capacitor’s main function is to bypass AC while leaving the DC operating point largely unchanged.