Total Energy of Camera Capacitor

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of a flash attachment for a professional camera that stores energy in a capacitor. The first part of the conversation involves finding the total energy produced by the flash, which can be solved by finding the potential energy using the equation PE=qV. The second part involves finding the capacitance, which can be solved using the equation U=(1/2)CV^2. Finally, the conversation explores the potential power of the flash attachment if the battery is replaced with one of a different potential difference.
  • #1
JumpinJohny
15
0

Homework Statement


A flash attatchment for a professional camera stores energy in a capactior. When a picture is taken, all of the charge is converted to energy, and the capacitor is fully discharged.

A.Assume the battery charging the capacitor is a 300V battery. When the light flashes, it produces 5000W of light for a time of .005s. Find the total energy produced by the flash.

B.Find the capacitance.

C.If the battery were replaced with a battery with a potential difference of 120V, how much light power could the flash attachment produce?


Homework Equations



C= q/V
PE = qV
U=(1/2)CV^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I really don't know. At first I thought I'd just solve for capacitance(which you can't anyway), until I looked at part B. I'm assuming you need to solve for the potential energy of the flash, but I'm not sure how to go about doing that.
 
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  • #2
I am pretty sure in that in solving for the total energy, you just need to find the potential energy. Electric potential energy would be PE=qV. There is no charge stated in the problem, so I'm not sure where to go from there.
 
  • #3
For A) Power is a measure of Energy per Time. Think about what a Watt is and how it relates to the time given, 0.005s.

For B) Once you've answered part A, it should be easy to solve for Capacitance using the equation for U.
 

1. What is the total energy of a camera capacitor?

The total energy of a camera capacitor is the amount of energy stored within the capacitor. It is measured in joules (J) and is determined by the capacitance and voltage of the capacitor.

2. How is the total energy of a camera capacitor calculated?

The total energy of a camera capacitor can be calculated using the formula E = 1/2 * C * V^2, where E is the total energy in joules, C is the capacitance in farads (F), and V is the voltage in volts (V).

3. Why is the total energy of a camera capacitor important?

The total energy of a camera capacitor is important because it determines the amount of power that can be supplied to the camera's flash or other components. It also affects the overall performance and efficiency of the camera.

4. How does the total energy of a camera capacitor affect image quality?

The total energy of a camera capacitor does not directly affect image quality. However, if the capacitor does not have enough energy, it may not be able to power the flash properly, resulting in underexposed images. Additionally, a higher energy capacitor may allow for faster flash recharge times, which can be beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects.

5. Can the total energy of a camera capacitor be increased?

Yes, the total energy of a camera capacitor can be increased by either increasing the voltage or increasing the capacitance. However, it is important to note that increasing the voltage can be dangerous and should only be done if the camera is designed to handle higher voltages. Increasing the capacitance can also lead to a larger and heavier capacitor, which may not be practical for certain camera designs.

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