Change in electrostatic potential energy of two spheres

In summary, the conversation discusses the change in electrostatic potential energy when two conducting spheres with charges Q, radius r1, and r2 are connected together. The change in energy is given by Uaf - Ube and the question arises about where this energy is lost. It is suggested that the energy is lost in the form of kinetic energy when the charges redistribute themselves, but it eventually ends up as waste heat when the system reaches a lower energy stable configuration. Calculating the energy of each sphere is a complex process and it is not possible to determine whether Uaf > Ube or Uaf < Ube beforehand.
  • #1
Pushoam
962
51
We have two conducting spheres of radius r1 and r2 far away from each other. The first sphere has a charge Q. What is the change in electrostatic potential energy when they are connected together?
Before the connection ,
Ube = ##
\frac{Q^2}{8\pi\epsilon_0 r_1} ##
After the connection ,
Uaf = ## \frac{Q^2}{8\pi\epsilon_0 r_1}
\frac{r_1}{r_1+r_2}
##
change in electrostatic potential energy =
Uaf - Ube =
-## \frac{Q^2}{8\pi\epsilon_0 r_1}
\frac{r_2}{r_1+r_2}##
I want to know that where does this energy get lost?
Does it get lost in the form of kinetic energy when the charges move around to redistribute themselves over the two conductors?
But , when again the charges become stationary, where do these K.E. go? Don't they get converted back into electrostatic energy?
Is there any way to know whether Uaf >Ube or Uaf <Ube before doing the calculation?
 
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  • #2
You have to include energy of each sphere, which is a rather complicated calculation.
 
  • #3
Meir Achuz said:
You have to include energy of each sphere, which is a rather complicated calculation
I have included energy of each sphere.
 
  • #4
Pushoam said:
Does it get lost in the form of kinetic energy when the charges move around to redistribute themselves over the two conductors?
But , when again the charges become stationary, where do these K.E. go?
It ends up as waste heat. Working out the details of how this happens may be fairly complicated, but when a closed system moves from a higher energy stable configuration to a lower energy stable configuration, the missing energy ends up as heat.
 

What is electrostatic potential energy?

Electrostatic potential energy is the energy stored in a system of charged particles due to their position and arrangement. It is the potential energy that results from the interactions between electric charges.

How is electrostatic potential energy calculated?

The electrostatic potential energy between two charged spheres can be calculated using the formula: U = k(q1q2)/r, where U is the potential energy, k is the Coulomb's constant (9x10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges of the spheres, and r is the distance between them.

What is the relationship between the change in electrostatic potential energy and the distance between two spheres?

The change in electrostatic potential energy is inversely proportional to the distance between two spheres. As the distance between the spheres increases, the potential energy decreases and vice versa.

How does the charge of the spheres affect the change in electrostatic potential energy?

The charge of the spheres directly affects the change in electrostatic potential energy. As the charge on the spheres increases, the potential energy also increases, and vice versa.

What factors can cause a change in electrostatic potential energy of two spheres?

The main factors that can cause a change in electrostatic potential energy of two spheres are the distance between the spheres, the charges of the spheres, and the dielectric constant of the medium between the spheres. Additionally, the introduction of other charged particles or changes in the arrangement of the particles can also cause a change in electrostatic potential energy.

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