What is the result of connecting two identical storage batteries?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Perseverence
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Batteries Storage
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of connecting two identical storage batteries in parallel within a circuit. Participants explore the implications on voltage and total charge, referencing fundamental electrical concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how the total charge can change while the voltage remains constant, questioning the relationship between charge and voltage in parallel configurations. Some express confusion regarding the terminology of "storage battery" and its relation to capacitance.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their interpretations and seeking clarification on the original problem statement. Some have offered insights into how the configuration of batteries might affect their performance in a circuit, particularly in relation to charging capacitors.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of clarity in the original problem statement, leading to multiple interpretations and requests for additional information. Participants are navigating this ambiguity while attempting to understand the underlying principles involved.

Perseverence
Messages
88
Reaction score
7

Homework Statement



Number 9 page 38 Sterling
What is the result of connecting two identical storage batteries in parallel in a circuit?[/B]

Homework Equations


Q/V=C
V=I R

The Attempt at a Solution


The solution is that the voltage is the same but twice the total charge compared to the Circuit of a single battery.

I don't understand how total charge can change but voltage does not change proportionately. Isn't it a property of capacitance that charging voltage change proportionately together?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Perseverence said:

Homework Statement



Number 9 page 38 Sterling
What is the result of connecting two identical storage batteries in parallel in a circuit?[/B]

Homework Equations


Q/V=C
V=I R

The Attempt at a Solution


The solution is that the voltage is the same but twice the total charge compared to the Circuit of a single battery.

I don't understand how total charge can change but voltage does not change proportionately. Isn't it a property of capacitance that charging voltage change proportionately together?
It is very difficult to give you any help on this without knowing what the problem is that you are trying to solve. Could you give the complete problem statement, please?
 
tnich said:
It is very difficult to give you any help on this without knowing what the problem is that you are trying to solve. Could you give the complete problem statement, please?
This is the entire question as I have written it. I have attached a picture of the question so that you can see it
20180412_001820-1.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20180412_001820-1.jpg
    20180412_001820-1.jpg
    24 KB · Views: 765
Perseverence said:
This is the entire question as I have written it. I have attached a picture of the question so that you can see itView attachment 223908
What is the result of connecting two identical storage batteries in parallel in a circuit?
 
tnich said:
It is very difficult to give you any help on this without knowing what the problem is that you are trying to solve. Could you give the complete problem statement, please?
Wow. If you feel like the question was incomplete as written, imagine how frustrating it was for me. LOL[emoji33]
 
Perhaps I'm wrong but is "storage battery" another term for capacitor? If so, I believe the capacitance is double as they are in parallel so you add the capacitance of each "storage battery" together. Q/V=C 2Q/V=2C. Voltage must remain the same since they are in parallel. If I'm wrong I apologize T_T
 
Perseverence said:
Wow. If you feel like the question was incomplete as written, imagine how frustrating it was for me. LOL[emoji33]
I see what you mean. I don't think it is a well-posed question. Here is what I think it means. When you have two identical batteries in parallel, then the pair of batteries have the potential to supply twice as much total charge before they run down. So in a circuit with resistors, they might last twice as long.
For the case you mention, if the batteries are being used to charge a capacitor with a large capacitance, then the batteries may run down before they fully charge the capacitor. In that case, the voltage supplied by the batteries would start to decrease and then some equilibrium would be reached with the capacitor. The two battery circuit could supply more charge to the capacitor, but it might not end up being twice as much, depending on where the equilibrium points are.
 
pokemon123 said:
Perhaps I'm wrong but is "storage battery" another term for capacitor? If so, I believe the capacitance is double as they are in parallel so you add the capacitance of each "storage battery" together. Q/V=C 2Q/V=2C. Voltage must remain the same since they are in parallel. If I'm wrong I apologize T_T
I think your interpretation makes sense - a lot more sense than the original question as stated.
 
pokemon123 said:
Perhaps I'm wrong but is "storage battery" another term for capacitor? If so, I believe the capacitance is double as they are in parallel so you add the capacitance of each "storage battery" together. Q/V=C 2Q/V=2C. Voltage must remain the same since they are in parallel. If I'm wrong I apologize T_T
Thank you to everyone for your explanation. It makes sense now. I'm glad to hear that the question was a bit confusing and that I'm not just going crazy.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K