Answer:
Part a)
[tex]E = \frac{8.60}{2.62} = 3.28 J[/tex]
Part b)
[tex]E = 2.62(8.60) = 22.5 J[/tex]
Explanation:
As we know that the energy of capacitor when it is not connected to potential source is given as
[tex]U = \frac{Q^2}{2C}[/tex]
As we know that initial energy is given as
[tex]8.60 = \frac{Q^2}{2C}[/tex]
now we know that capacitance of parallel plate capacitor is given as
[tex]C = \frac{\epsilon_0A}{d}[/tex]
now the new capacitance when distance is changed from 3.80 mm to 1.45 mm
[tex]C' = \frac{Cd}{d'}[/tex]
[tex]C' = \frac{C(3.80)}{1.45}[/tex]
[tex]C' = 2.62 C[/tex]
Now the new energy of the capacitor is given as
[tex]E = \frac{Q^2}{2(2.62C)}[/tex]
[tex]E = \frac{8.60}{2.62} = 3.28 J[/tex]
Part b)
Now if the voltage difference between the plates of capacitor is given constant
now the energy energy of capacitor is
[tex]U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2[/tex]
[tex]8.60 = \frac{1}{2}CV^2[/tex]
now when capacitance is changed to new value then new energy is given as
[tex]E = \frac{1}{2}C'V^2[/tex]
[tex]E = \frac{1}{2}(2.62C)V^2[/tex]
[tex]E = 2.62(8.60) = 22.5 J[/tex]