🔍 Key Concepts

• Electrolytic capacitors are polarized components • What happens to a polarized capacitor if it is reverse-biased (connected backwards)? • How voltage is shared when capacitors are connected in series

💭 Think About

• Think about why manufacturers clearly mark + (anode) and – (cathode) on electrolytic capacitors. • If you place two polarized capacitors in series, how should their polarities be arranged so that each one sees the correct voltage polarity during normal operation? • Which options would clearly create a situation where at least one capacitor could be reverse-biased?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which options would cause one capacitor to be reverse-connected if a DC voltage is applied across the series pair. • Consider that all electrolytic capacitors in a DC circuit must have their polarity respected relative to the applied voltage. • Before choosing, mentally draw a simple DC supply, then sketch the series connection for each option and check the + and – ends of each capacitor.