Question

A capacitor of capacitance 2.0μF is charged to a potential difference of 12V. It is then connected to an uncharged capacitor of capacitance 4.0μF as shown in figure (31-E22). Find (a) the charge on each of the two capacitors after the connection, (b) the electrostatic energy stored in each of the two capacitors and (c) the heat produced during the charge transfer from one capacitor to the other.

Answer 1

Initial charge stored = C × V = 12 × 2 × 10^–6 = 24 × 10^–6c

Let the charges on 2 & 4 capacitors be q₁ & q₂ respectively