A 100 pF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 24 V . Subsequently, it is connected to an uncharged capacitor of 20 pF . Determine the new potential difference across the 100 pF capacitor.

Step-by-step solution

The initial charge on the first capacitor is given by Q = C₁ V₁ . Substituting the given values, Q = 100 24 = 2400 pC . When this capacitor is connected to an uncharged capacitor of capacitance C₂ = 20 pF , the total charge remains conserved and is shared between them until they reach a common potential V . The equivalent capacitance of the parallel combination is C_ eq = C₁ + C₂ = 100 + 20 = 120 pF . The common potential difference V across both capacitors is given by V = Q C_ eq . Substituting the values, V = 240