Trying to understand JV Performance graphs

[starofdawn]

Hello PF,

New to PF, first post! I graduated with a BS in Chemistry in 2010, and I have started my graduate studies in Materials Science. My physics/electrical engineering knowledge is a little shaky, and I am trying to catch up.

During group meetings, a lot of graduate students are presenting JV Performance graphs and I'm having a tough time wrapping my head around the concept of a JV Performance graph.

From information I've gathered: J = electric current density and V = voltage. J is on the y-axis and V is on the x-axis of the graphs. Most of the graphs so far have a curve that looks similar to a natural log curve.

If you were teaching an Intro to Physics class about JV performance graphs, how would you explain the concept to the students?

 

[Valerie Park]

The J-V curve is a graph that plots the relationship between the current (J) and voltage (V) of a device. This is important for understanding how the device behaves under different conditions. It is also useful for understanding how much power the device can handle. Typically, the J-V curve shows a non-linear relationship between current and voltage, which means that the current increases or decreases at different rates with increasing voltage. The shape of the curve depends on the type of device, such as a solar cell, a diode, or a transistor. The curve may also indicate the level of efficiency of the device. For example, if the curve is steep and has a high maximum current output, this indicates a highly efficient device. In short, the J-V curve is a graphical representation of how the current and voltage of a device relate to each other, and is useful for understanding the performance of the device.