What is the Electrical Potential Energy of a Nerve Cell Membrane?

In summary, the question involves determining the amount of electrical potential energy stored in an axon membrane of a nerve cell, given its dimensions and capacitance. The solution can be found by using the area formula to find the area of the membrane, then using capacitor formulas to calculate the charge and potential energy.
  • #1
bigborat
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Homework Statement



An axon membrane of a nerve cell is approximately a cylinder of length 12mm and diameter 150micrometres. The membrane has a capacitance of 1.0uFcm^-2. There is a resting potential difference of -90mV between the inside and outside of the cell. How mch electrical potential energy is stored in the membrane?
How much charge is there on each surface? Give the answer in units of the electron charge.

Homework Equations



A=2*pi*r*l

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know how to do this question at all
 
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  • #2
Use the area formula to find the area of the capacitor and then its capacitance. Then the problem is just a question about a capacitor, which you can answer using one of the capacitor formulas.
 

1. What is electrical potential energy?

Electrical potential energy is the energy stored in an electric field due to the position of charged particles or objects within the field. It is the potential for work to be done by the electric field on these charged particles.

2. How is electrical potential energy measured?

Electrical potential energy is measured in joules (J) or electron volts (eV). It is calculated by multiplying the charge of the particle by the potential difference between two points in an electric field.

3. What factors affect the electrical potential energy of a system?

The electrical potential energy of a system is affected by the amount of charge present, the distance between the charged particles, and the strength of the electric field.

4. What is the relationship between electrical potential energy and electric potential?

Electric potential is the amount of electrical potential energy per unit charge. In other words, it is the electrical potential energy divided by the amount of charge present. The two are directly proportional to each other.

5. How is electrical potential energy used in everyday life?

Electrical potential energy is used in a variety of ways in everyday life. It is the basis for the functioning of electronic devices, such as smartphones and computers. It is also used in power generation through the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy in hydroelectric dams and wind turbines.

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