Question about electrial potential

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The discussion revolves around calculating the potential difference between two points given the work done on a charge and its kinetic energy. An external force does 15.0 * 10^{-4} J of work to move a -8.50 μC charge, resulting in a kinetic energy of 4.82 * 10^{-4} J at the destination. Participants clarify that the relationship between work, kinetic energy, and potential energy is crucial for solving the problem, emphasizing the formula Work_ext = ΔKE + ΔPE. After some calculations and corrections, the potential difference is ultimately determined to be approximately -1.19 x 10^2 V. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding energy relationships in physics problems.
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The work done by an external force to move a -8.50{\mu}C charge from a point a to point b is 15.0*10^{-4}J. If the charge was started from rest and had 4.82 * 10^{-4}J of kinetic energy when it reached point b, what must be the potential difference between a and b.

I am not sure if this is suppose to be a trick question or not, but if the final kinetic energy is 4.82 * 10^ -4, then the initial potential difference has to be 4.82 * 10^-4 right?
 
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Consider the units of electric potention (V or J/C) and work (J)
 
What is the unit of potential difference...?

Daniel.
 
so
{\Delta} KE = -{\Delta}PE}
\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = -qV_{ba}
4.82*10^{-4}J=8.5*10^{-6} V_{ba}
So V_ba = 5.6 * 10 V

But when I use
W = -qV_{ba}
15 * 10^{-4} = 8.5 * 10^{-6} V_{ba}
V_{ba} = 1.76 * 10 ^2

I am kind of lost here, can somebody help
 
You're not properly using the energy information provided. What's the relationship between the 2 energy values given in the problem?

~~
 
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4.82 * 10^{-4}J, which is the kinetic energy
 
What about:

Work_{ext} = \Delta K.E. + \Delta P.E.


~~
 
HINT:

:(1): \ \ \ \ Work_{ext} = \Delta K.E. + \Delta P.E.

:(2): \ \ \ \ (15x10^{-4} Joules) \ \ = \ \ (4.82x10^{-4} Joules) \ \ + \ \ (Charge)*(PotentialDifference)

Do you see the technique?


~~
 
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I have the answer -1.19 x 10 ^ -2 V
 
  • #10
I've said that b4.It's the OP-s job to do the "dirty" work.Namely the simple calculations...We assume that the person coming in for advice/help has minimum knowledge of arithmetics...

Daniel.

P.S.Your result is 10.000 times smaler...
P.P.S.xanthym,the latex code for multiplication is either "\times" or "\cdot" or leaving a space...
 
  • #11
xanthym said:
What about:

Work_{ext} = \Delta K.E. + \Delta P.E.


~~

I didnt know this forumla before because I started from the middle of the book (since that i am taking second half of the course), so i skipped all the Mechnical energy stuff

But once i have this, it makes everything easier
 
  • #12
dextercioby said:
I've said that b4.It's the OP-s job to do the "dirty" work.Namely the simple calculations...We assume that the person coming in for advice/help has minimum knowledge of arithmetics...

Daniel.

P.S.Your result is 10.000 times smaler...
P.P.S.xanthym,the latex code for multiplication is either "\times" or "\cdot" or leaving a space...
you mean it is -1.2 x 10 ^3?
 
  • #13
LEOLAW --
Don't guess. Repeat the calculation. (10^3 is still wrong.)
 
  • #14
xanthym said:
HINT:

:(1): \ \ \ \ Work_{ext} = \Delta K.E. + \Delta P.E.

:(2): \ \ \ \ (15x10^{-4} Joules) \ \ = \ \ (4.82x10^{-4} Joules) \ \ + \ \ (Charge)*(PotentialDifference)

Do you see the technique?


~~
(15*10^{-4} Joules) = (4.82x10^{-4} Joules) + (Charge)*(PotentialDifference)

1.018 * 10 ^{-3} = 8.5*10^{-6} * (PotentialDifference)

and i still get the result -1.19 x 10 ^2

now I get the idea... but not the answer?/
 
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  • #15
CORRECT! :smile:
 
  • #16
xanthym said:
CORRECT! :smile:

finally..wholala
 
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