In the charged capacitor connected to uncharged capacitor problem with 1/2 the
initial energy lost. For resistanceless wires, wouldn't dI/dT be enormous? I
suspect radiation losses. One might also get a very satisfying spark when the
switch is closed. I think this is analogous to energy losses in inelastic
collisions. One always has to "hand-wave" the mechanisms, since the properties
of the masses are usually not totally specified. Non the less, "Nature will
find a way"
Jim Goff
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ