Question

A 600 pF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply. It is then disconnected from the supply and is connected to another uncharged 600 pF capacitor. How much electrostatic energy is lost in the process?

Answer 1

Capacitance of the capacitor, C = 600 pF

Potential difference, V = 200 V

Electrostatic energy stored in the capacitor is given by,

If supply is disconnected from the capacitor and another capacitor of capacitance C = 600 pF is connected to it, then equivalent capacitance (C^’) of the combination is given by,

New electrostatic energy can be calculated as

Therefore, the electrostatic energy lost in the process is.