Capacitor: charge and energy calculations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a capacitor with a specified capacitance, charged by a DC supply, and involves calculations related to charge, energy delivered, and energy stored. Participants are exploring the implications of their calculations and the differences between energy values derived from different approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulas for charge and energy, with some questioning the initial capacitance value. There are attempts to understand the energy differences between the supply and the capacitor, particularly in relation to potential differences during charging.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations and insights into the energy dynamics of the capacitor. There is an ongoing exploration of the concept of energy loss, particularly in relation to resistance, and how this affects the overall energy accounting.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted discrepancy in the capacitance value, which may influence the calculations. Participants are also considering the implications of energy conservation and potential differences during the charging process.

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Homework Statement


A capacitor of capacitance 12*10^6 is fully charged from a 20V d.c. supply.
i Calculate the charge stored by the capacitor.
ii calculate the energy delivered by the dc supply
iii calculate the energy stored in the capacitor.
iv account for the difference between your answers for ii and iii.

Homework Equations


i charge is Q=CV
ii I think this is W=QV
iii I think this is W=1/2 CV^2[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


iv I am not so sure it may be the fact that the dc current is equal to the voltage across the circuit or potential difference or something. I don't really get that.
i 2.4e-4
ii4.8e-3
iii2.4e-3
 

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Apparently this capacitor is actually ##10^{-6}## farads, not ##10^6## as written. With that understanding, your answers for i, ii and iii are correct.

For part iv, consider what is happening as the capacitor is halfway charged. The dc supply (ideally) is putting current out across a 20 V potential difference between its two leads. The capacitor (ideally) has a 10 V potential difference between its two leads. How can one account for the other 10 V of potential difference?
 
LOST TO RESISTANCE ?
 
Yes. You could elaborate on that answer by offering possibilities for where the resistance could exist. Thinking about conservation of energy, you could think about where the energy that is "lost to resistance" goes.
 

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