Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A capacitor rated is joined in series with a capacitor rated . What is the equivalent capacitance? What is the greatest charge the pair can hold? What is the greatest voltage that can safely be put across the pair?
In parallel the voltage is shared and the capacitances add: In series the charge is shared and For two capacitors in series, . In a series chain, the capacitor that reaches its rating first sets the limit.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The equivalent. .
Step 2. The charge limits. The capacitor reaches at . The capacitor reaches at .
Step 3. The smaller one wins. The pair can hold at most.
Step 4. The voltages. The capacitor has . The capacitor has . Together, .
Check. .
Watch out. The sum of the ratings, , is far too high. The capacitor is used at only a small part of its rating.
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