Initial energy of the charged sphere is given by:
Ui=21CV2
Ui=21×100×10−12×(100)2=5×10−7 J
When the identical uncharged sphere is brought in contact, the charge is shared equally and the common potential becomes:
V′=2V=50 V
Final total energy of the two spheres is:
Uf=2×(21CV′2)=CV′2
Uf=100×10−12×(50)2=2.5×10−7 J
Change in energy is the loss of energy during charge sharing:
ΔU=Ui−Uf=5×10−7−2.5×10−7=2.5×10−7 J
ΔU=25×10−7 J
Comparing with α×10−7 J, we get α=25.
Answer: 25