A capacitor C₁ charged to potential V is connected to an uncharged capacitor C₂. Then the final potential difference across each capacitor will be:
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A capacitor C₁ charged to potential V is connected to an uncharged capacitor C₂. Then the final potential difference across each capacitor will be:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Initial total charge = Q(initial) = C₁V. Step 2: On parallel connection total charge is conserved, while final common voltage becomes V(final). Step 3: (C₁ + C₂)V(final) = C₁V. Therefore V(final) = C₁V/(C₁ + C₂).