Finding potential difference across capacitor plates?

AI Thread Summary
Two identical capacitors are discussed, one empty and the other filled with a dielectric (k=3.6), connected to a -11V battery. The goal is to determine the potential difference across the dielectric-filled capacitor so that it stores the same energy as the empty capacitor. The empty capacitor's energy is zero, leading to confusion about how to equate the two capacitors' energy storage. Participants suggest using the capacitance formula and ratios to relate the two capacitors, but there is uncertainty about the correct approach. The discussion emphasizes the need to derive a relationship between the capacitors' values to solve the problem effectively.
cheap_noob
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Two capacitors are identical, except that one is empty and the other is filled with a dielectric (k=3.6). The empty capacitor is connected to a -11V battery. What must be the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor filled with a dielectric so that it stores the same amount of electrical energy as the empty capacity?


Homework Equations


C=q/V C=kε°0)A/d E=q/(ε°)A
Estored=1/2qv = 1/2 cv^2


The Attempt at a Solution


I don't really know what to do. I'm guessing that there's a lack of information but however the part about the empty capacitor, that would mean Estored = 0 right? But even though I plug in something with zero and solve for C, C would be zero which would mean 0=q/V or the other equation and if I solve for a variable it would be just zero.

I'm guessing my logic is probably wrong but I'm really lost. I basically have only 2 known variables from the question.
Any help would be awesome!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Empty capacitor means that the space between the plates is not filled with dielectric.

ehild
 
So does that mean I let C=kε°A/d equal to each other so kε°A/d=kε°A/d?
And then from that plug in 3.6 for one of the k, and 1 for the other?
And from that, the k's will cancel, the A's will cancel b/c identical, and I'm not sure about the d's. Well is that the right method or am I still doing something wrong?
 
cheap_noob said:
So does that mean I let C=kε°A/d equal to each other so kε°A/d=kε°A/d?
And then from that plug in 3.6 for one of the k, and 1 for the other?
And from that, the k's will cancel, the A's will cancel b/c identical, and I'm not sure about the d's. Well is that the right method or am I still doing something wrong?

How would the k's cancel if they are not the same?
 
gneill said:
How would the k's cancel if they are not the same?

Oops sorry. Well I meant that there will be a ratio when you divide one by the other; when transferring k over to solve for the unknown variable, there will be an actual number
Anyways I'm still lost
 
cheap_noob said:
Oops sorry. Well I meant that there will be a ratio when you divide one by the other; when transferring k over to solve for the unknown variable, there will be an actual number
Anyways I'm still lost

Start by working out how the values of the two capacitors are related (write an expression).
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top