Capacitors in Series: Equivalent Charge Explained

[Hercuflea]

Homework Statement

Conceptually, why is the equivalent charge of a circuit with capacitors in series equal to the charge on one capacitor? For example, the lecture says Q_eq = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 =... for multiple capacitors in series. Why isn't the equivalent charge the sum of all the charges on the capacitors i.e. Q_eq = Q1+Q2+Q3+...?

 

[Simon Bridge]

Sketch it out and draw in the charges on each plate of all the capacitors.
What happens when positive and negative charges are linked by a conductor?