Two identical parallel plate capacitors are connected to a battery via a switch S , as shown in the figure. At first, the switch is kept closed, allowing both capacitors to become fully charged. Subsequently, the switch is opened, and the empty space between the plates of both capacitors is filled with a material having a dielectric constant of 3 . Determine the ratio of the initial total energy stored in the capacit

Step-by-step solution

Initially, when the switch S is closed, both capacitors A and B are connected in parallel to the battery V . Initial energy stored in capacitor A , U_ Ai = 1 2 CV^2 Initial energy stored in capacitor B , U_ Bi = 1 2 CV^2 Total initial energy, U_i = U_ Ai + U_ Bi = CV^2 When the switch S is opened, capacitor A remains connected to the battery, so its potential difference remains V . Capacitor B is disconnected from the battery, so its charge remains constant at Q = CV . A dielectric of constant K = 3 is inserted int