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A capacitor of capacitance C at potential V has energy E. It is connected to another capacitor of capacitance 2C at potential 2V. Then the loss of energy is x/3E, where x is ______.

Asked in JEE Main 30th Jan 1st Shift 2024 · Redistribution of charge

Answer: 2

Step-by-step solution

When two charged capacitors are joined, the energy lost in the redistribution is Δ U=1/2(C₁C₂)/(C₁+C₂)(V₁-V₂)².

Here C₁=C, C₂=2C, V₁=V, V₂=2V, so (V₁-V₂)²=V².

Δ U=1/2·(C·2C)/(3C)· V²=1/2·(2C)/3V²=2/3(1/2CV²).

Since E=1/2CV², the loss is 2/3E, so x=2.

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