How Do You Determine Which Battery Has the Most Stored Charge?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining which of several batteries has the most stored charge based on their specifications. Participants explore the relationship between voltage, amp-hours, and stored charge, with a focus on understanding battery ratings and their implications.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that battery d (0.01MAh) has the most stored charge, equating 0.01MAh to 10,000Ah, although they express uncertainty about this calculation.
  • Another participant notes that higher ampere-hours indicate longer battery life, implying a relationship between amp-hours and stored charge.
  • A participant explains that amp-hours can be converted to charge in coulombs, emphasizing the formula involving coulombs per second multiplied by time.
  • Some participants argue that voltage does not affect the amount of charge available, focusing instead on amp-hour capacity as the key metric.
  • One participant raises a point about the terminology used in battery ratings, cautioning that 'M' could be misinterpreted and discussing the implications of battery size related to amp-hour ratings.
  • Another participant agrees that voltage is not a measure of charge but rather relates to the energy obtainable per coulomb of charge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that amp-hours are the primary measure of stored charge, while there is some contention regarding the interpretation of voltage and its relevance to charge capacity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct answer to the original question.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation of battery ratings, particularly the potential confusion between milli- and mega- in amp-hour designations. Additionally, the relationship between voltage and stored charge is discussed but not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students learning about battery specifications, electrical engineering concepts, and the relationship between voltage, current, and stored energy in electrochemical cells.

Lildon
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Homework Statement


Which of the following batteries has the most stored charge? Their ratings are shown below. Explain your answer.
a) 12V, 500mAh
b) 1.2V, 1200uAh
c) 6V, 3.14159x10e17 electrons
d) 6V, 0.01MAh

2. The attempt at a solution
I think the answer is d because 0.01MAh = 10,000Ah. I'm not sure if this is even right or how to explain it. I haven't really been taught anything about this and all of my experience is from searching the internet for information.
 
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Hint: the higher the ampere-hour, the longer the battery will last.
 
The question asks which battery has the most charge.
Ah means Amps x hours which means (coulombs/sec) x hours
which gives charge = (coulombs/sec) x hours x 60 x 60
 
That means the answer would be D because it has the highest Amp-hours. So the amount of volts has no affect on stored charge?
 
There are a few things about this question. First, electrochemical cells don't store charge, they store energy in the form of chemical energy. But I know what they mean.
Second, it is obvious here (I think), but often ratings are printed carelessly, and M may sometimes stand for milli-, you can't always assume manufacturers mean mega-. To manufacture a battery rated at 10,000 Ah would make it a colossal size. Maybe something from a submarine?

Volts is not a measure of the current you can draw, in the way it's meant here. So it is only amp-hour capacity that you need to consider.
 
I agree...voltage has nothing to do with the amount of charge that can be obtained.
Ah tell you how many coulombs of charge are available.
Voltage tells you how much ENERGY can be obtained per coulomb
 

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