A 0.9 µF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 10.0 V. The wires connecting the capacitor to the battery are then disconnected from the battery and connected across a second, initially uncharged, capacitor. The potential difference across the 0.9 µF capacitor then drops to 2 V. What is the capacitance of the second capacitor?

3.6μF

Explanation:

The charge on the capacitor is defined by the formula

q = CV

because the charge will be conserved

q₁ = C₁V₂

q₂ = C₂V₂ where C₂ V₂ represent the charge on the newly connected capacitor and the voltage drop across the two capacitor will be the same

q = q₁ + q₂ = C₁V₂ + C₂V₂

CV = CV₂ + C₂V₂

CV - CV₂ = C₂V₂

C (V - V₂) = C₂V₂

C (V / V₂ - V₂ / V₂) = C₂

C₂ = 0.9 (10 / 2) - 1) = 0.9 (5 - 1) = 3.6μF