Electric Potential Car Battery Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the total charge in coulombs from a 12V car battery with a capacity of 84 A-h. The conversion from ampere-hours to coulombs is established as 1 A-h equating to 3600 coulombs, leading to a total charge of 302400 coulombs (3.0 x 10^5 C). Additionally, the energy involved when this charge undergoes a change in electric potential of 12V is calculated using the formula E = QV, resulting in 3628800 joules of energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric charge and coulombs
  • Familiarity with ampere-hours and their conversion
  • Knowledge of electric potential and voltage
  • Basic principles of energy calculation in electrical circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about the conversion between ampere-hours and coulombs
  • Study the formula for calculating energy in electrical systems (E = QV)
  • Explore dimensional analysis techniques in physics
  • Investigate the characteristics and applications of car batteries
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on electricity and circuits, as well as anyone needing to understand battery capacity and energy calculations.

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Homework Statement


A particular 12V car battery can send a total charge of 84 A-h (ampere-hours) through a circuit, from one terminal to the other. (a) How many coulombs of charge does this represent? (b) If this entire charge undergoes a change in electric potential of 12V, how much energy is involved?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I'd just like some advice in starting the question, simply because I'm not accustomed to working in Ampere-hours. Just a hint would do nicely.
 
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Ampere-hours = 1A*1h
so, they multiplied their current by the time
and now just use simple formulas ..
i = change in q/change in time ..
 
I'm still not sure how thew book gets an answer of 3.0 x 10^5 C
 
Anyone got any other hints?
 
I think an amp is 1 coulomb per second. What do you think it is? That's a hint, son.
 
So for an hour the charge would be 84 * 60?
 
It would be if an hour were equal to 60 seconds. But it isn't.
 
Last edited:
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, alright, I get it. It's a simple dimensional analysis problem. Yeesh, why didn't I realize that...
 

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