Are the Battery Capacity Calculations for Electric Vehicles Correct?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculations related to battery capacity for electric vehicles, specifically focusing on the relationship between current, time, and the definition of battery capacity in amp-hours (AH).

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the formula for battery capacity and question the correctness of the calculations presented. There is a recurring inquiry about why battery capacity is defined in amp-hours rather than just amps.

Discussion Status

Some participants affirm the calculations as reasonable while others provide explanations about the definition of amp-hours and its relation to charge. Multiple interpretations of the definitions and units are being discussed, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the units of measurement for battery capacity, with references to the definitions of coulombs and amp-hours. Participants are also referencing external sources for clarification.

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Homework Statement
If an electric vehicle needs to provide 400HP for 1 hour and the vehicles battery voltage is nominally 300V, what is the absolute minimum rating of the battery capacity in Amp-Hours (1HP = 750 W)
Relevant Equations
Capacity = Current * Discharge Time
Battery Capacity = Current * Time
Power = 400 * 750 = 300000 Watts
V*I = 300000
I = 300000/300 = 1000 Amps
Battery Capacity = 1000 * 1 = 1000AH. Are the calculations correct? Why the battery capacity is defined in Amps?
 
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It seems OK.
PhysicsTest said:
Why the battery capacity is defined in Amps?
Not Amps but AH with V given as you got it.
 
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AH (Amp-hours) is a measure of charge. 1AH=1A*3600s=3600 Joules.Coulombs.
 
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PhysicsTest said:
Why the battery capacity is defined in Amps?
The battery capacity is defined in A.h or ampere-hour.
Just like a water tank accumulates volume in gallons (ready to flow out), a battery accumulates charge in coulombs (ready to flow out as well).

Please, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampere-hour

"The SI defines the coulomb in terms of the ampere and second:
1 C = 1 A × 1 s.
The ampere is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the elementary charge e to be 1.602176634×10−19 coulombs."
 
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haruspex said:
AH (Amp-hours) is a measure of charge. 1AH=1A*3600s=3600 Joules
Coulombs, surely. Or, equivalently, Joules per Volt.
 
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