General help understanding emf and p.d

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gregg
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Emf General
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the relationship between electromotive force (emf), potential difference (p.d.), and internal resistance in a battery. It emphasizes using a graph of p.d. (V) against current (I) to determine the battery's emf and internal resistance by analyzing the gradient and y-intercept. The gradient is calculated as approximately 1.67 Ω, representing the internal resistance, while the y-intercept indicates the emf. The equation E = V + Ir is rearranged to illustrate the linear relationship, with V as a function of I. A related question arises about the differing proportionality of V and I in this context compared to an ohmic conductor.
Gregg
Messages
452
Reaction score
0
Circuit1.jpg


Graph to show the variation of the p.d. V across the battery with current I as R is varied.


Table1.jpg


i) Draw line of best fit.

ii) Use it to determine the emf of the battery;

and the internal resistance r of the battery.


The gradient \approx \frac{\Delta V}{\Delta I} = 1.67 \Omega

Just don't know what to do really. Need an example and explanation of the concept.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Let the internal resistance of the battery be r.
The same current,I, passes through both r and R right?

So by Kirchoff's 2nd law

the emf of the battery=sum of the pd's around the loop
If V is the pd across the load then

E=V+Ir.

Since they plotted V against I, rearrange the equation it in the form a straight line y=mx+c

you calculated the gradient correctly to give a resistance. So rearrange the equation and you will see what that gradient represents and what the intercept represents as well.
 
V = f(I)

V = -Ir + E


y-intercept is emf, gradient is -r. Thanks.
 
Hi I had a similar question, which I posted at the the thread 'internal resistance graph'. It was basically why are V are I inversely proportional in this graph, but proportional in the graph of an ohmic conductor?
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K