How Do I Calculate the Potential Difference in a Capacitor with a Given Charge?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lettertwelve
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the potential difference in a parallel-plate capacitor, the capacitance formula C = ɛo A/d is used, where ɛo is a constant (8.85E-12), A is the plate area converted to square meters, and d is the plate separation in meters. The capacitance calculated was 3.54e-9 F. For the potential difference, the relationship change of V = Q/C is applied, where Q is the charge (450.0 pC). The discussion also highlights confusion over units and calculations, but ultimately confirms the correct approach to finding the potential difference in volts. Understanding these equations is crucial for solving capacitor-related problems in physics.
lettertwelve
Messages
54
Reaction score
0
help -- webassign due tonight -- need some help

Homework Statement



A parallel-plate capacitor has a plate area of 160 cm2 and a plate separation of 0.0400 mm.

A). Determine the capacitance.
which i got to be 3.54e-9 F

B). Determing the potential difference when the charge on the capacitor is 450.0 pC.
______V


Homework Equations



C= ɛo A/d

The Attempt at a Solution




i got part a using that equation, and i know that i should use it for part B, but I'm confused as to how to incorporate the 450pC...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you by chance go to NTHS?I have the exact same problem for my web assign except I have a 180 cm^2 and I need help getting that. For B I think you get the A answer and divide by the charge.
 
haha yea i do go to NTHS.

by the way what IS the charge??
 
Can you tell me how you got A.? for B you do C=Q/change of V, change of V you get by = -E(Change of d) because it's in a uniform electric field. The pC number, I think.
I was wrong on the previous post. it's asking for the potentical difference. I thought C, was the capacitors
 
Last edited:
for A you do ɛo A/d

ɛo is a constant, which is 8.85E-12
A is your centimeter number, but watch out cause it's squared so for me 160cm^2 = 160E-4

and d is your mm to meters, for me it's .04E-3


by the way i still can't get B
 
is the unit for potential difference in volts?
 
it's supposed to be in volts, but i honestly have no friggin idea what is C and Q and -E(change of d) ?
 
I got it! change of V = Q/C.
Q= the pC thing
C is the answer for a

Do you have
11. b/c
9.
or
3. a/b
by any chance?
 
Last edited:
it worked! awesome.

did you get 3b?? the angle thing?
 
  • #10
I have no idea on how to do any of 3
 
  • #11
thanks anyways
 
Back
Top