Calculating Heat Generated from Capacitors

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the heat generated from capacitors in various scenarios involving changes in capacitance and voltage. The subject area includes concepts related to capacitors, energy storage, and electrical circuits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to calculate the heat generated in three distinct capacitor scenarios, expressing uncertainty about the methods to use. Some participants suggest using the energy stored in a capacitor formula and comparing energies before and after changes. Others question the relationship between work done and heat produced in one of the scenarios.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different approaches to the problem, with some guidance provided on using energy equations. There is an acknowledgment of varying interpretations regarding the relationship between work and heat generation, indicating an ongoing exploration of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses confusion about the calculations and seeks a general method for determining heat generation in capacitor-related problems. There is a note of uncertainty regarding the assumptions and definitions being used in the discussion.

cupid.callin
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I was studying capacitors when I came across these three questions:
Please refer the jpg with the topic.

Note: I wrote the quoted text before I realized I could post the pic of questions … but I had written all this anyway and didn’t wanted it to go to waste … so I posed it anyway!


1st: A parallel plate capacitor is connected with a battery and after it is fully charged the separation b/w the plates is increased, --- of course capacitance decrease and charge flows backwards --- I am supposed to find heat generated in the process …

2nd: A capacitor is charged to some voltage V and then disconnected from it and connected to another battery of voltage V’ (<V) … so this time the current flows backwards … question is again to calculate the heat.

3rd: this time a capacitor is connected to a battery, removed after long time, connected to a capacitor of smaller capacitance! And again I need to calculate the heat generated!


Answer to 1st=
1st= 0
2st= 7.2 mJ
3st= 1.77 mJ

Now…
How am I supposed to know how to find the heat generated? What basis do I use… well my questions are insane I know... but just because I have no idea what to do!
Please help me find a way to find heat generated … not only for these cases but also for any other random case!
 

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To start, note that the energy stored in a capacitor (of a given, constant capacitance C and voltage V) is
E = ½CV2.​
You'll have to use this equation a little differently for each part of the problem. But essentially, it means finding the equivalent capacitance before and after; and also finding the voltage across the equivalent terminals, before and after. Then compare the energies before and after.
 
But for Ques 3 work done on battery will be QV'
Shouldn't that be heat produced?
 
Well I'll try what u said and get back if it works!

Thanks for help
 

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