Find charge given current and time?

Click For Summary
To find the charge passing through a wire with a current of 3.5 A over 25 minutes, the correct formula is q = It, leading to a calculation of q = 3.5 A * 1500 s = 5250 C. The initial confusion arose from an incorrect application of the work-energy relationship, specifically using W = (1/2)qV, which is not applicable in this context. The distinction between W = qV and W = (1/2)qV is clarified; the former applies to moving individual charges across a voltage, while the latter pertains to charging a capacitor fully. Ultimately, the correct charge calculation is 5250 C, confirming the teacher's answer. Understanding the appropriate context for each equation is crucial for solving similar problems accurately.
ObviousManiac
Messages
37
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


If a current of 3.5 A flows through a wire for 25 minutes, how much charge passes through the wire?

I = 3.5
t = 25 min = 1500 seconds

Homework Equations


P=W/t
W=1/2qV
P=VI

The Attempt at a Solution



If P = W/t
and
W = 1/2qV
then
P = qV/2t

so (qV/2t) = VI

qV = 2tVI

q = 2tI

q = 2(1500)(3.5)

q = 10,500 C

......

the answer given by my teacher is 5250 C. So somewhere, I'm off by a factor of two. Can someone help me find my error? Or did my teacher make a mistake?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ObviousManiac said:

Homework Statement


If a current of 3.5 A flows through a wire for 25 minutes, how much charge passes through the wire?

I = 3.5
t = 25 min = 1500 seconds

Homework Equations


P=W/t
W=1/2qV
P=VI

The Attempt at a Solution



If P = W/t
and
W = 1/2qV
then
P = qV/2t

so (qV/2t) = VI

qV = 2tVI

q = 2tI

q = 2(1500)(3.5)

q = 10,500 C
......

the answer given by my teacher is 5250 C. So somewhere, I'm off by a factor of two. Can someone help me find my error? Or did my teacher make a mistake?
For what situation is your equation, W = (1/2)qV, valid?

All you really need for this problem is the definition of electric current.
 
SammyS said:
All you really need for this problem is the definition of electric current.

I=q/t

q=It

q=(3.5)(1500)

q=5250 C

......

Okay so I get that, but now I'm struggling with...
SammyS said:
For what situation is your equation, W = (1/2)qV, valid?
I'm confused... i.e. the difference between using
W=(1/2)qV
and
W=qV

One is the charge of the capacitor the other is the charge on the electron/proton (usually these particles are the one's being talked about). This is the W=qV equation... i think...

I read online that "W = qV is more for moving just one or a set number of charges across a voltage difference V (ie a capacitor) while W = 1/2QV is the work required to fully charge, or move ALL of the charges, across a capacitor to fully charge it"

...is that right? I don't really understand...

......
 
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 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
888
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K