Loss of Energy in Combining Conductors/Capacitors

Description:

Let there be two capacitors with capacitance C₁ and C₂ at potential V₁ and V₂. If they are connected to each other by wire, charges start to flow from higher potential to lower potential. This flow of charge continues till they reach a common potential,

The change in energy will be: δU = U_initial - U_final

Here C₁, C₂ and (V₁ – V₂)² cannot be negative.

• Initial energy is greater than final energy. It means, there is some loss of energy in form of heat as charges flow from one higher potential to lower potential.