Why formula for internal resistance for charging battery v = e + Ir

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the formula for internal resistance in a charging battery, specifically the equation v = e + Ir. Participants are exploring the reasoning behind the signs in the equation when comparing the scenarios of a battery supplying current versus charging.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand why the internal resistance is treated differently when the battery is charging compared to when it is supplying current. Some participants question the direction of current flow and its impact on voltage drop across the internal resistance.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering insights into the direction of current and potential energy changes. There is an exploration of how these factors relate to the formula, but no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of conventional current flow and the associated voltage drops in both charging and discharging scenarios. There may be assumptions about the behavior of electric potential that are being examined.

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Homework Statement



Why is the formula for internal resistance for a charging battery v = e + Ir?

When the battery is supplying I to the circuit I understand why the terminal voltage, V, equals emf - IR (voltage lost by internal resistance), but if a battery is charging, why is the voltage lost by internal resistance being added to the ideal voltage, e? The resistance is still there right, even if it is charging, so shouldn't the sign in front of Ir still be negative?
 
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Consider the direction of the current flowing in each case. What's the direction of the resulting voltage drop across the internal resistor in each case?
 
In the first case if we use conventional current, the positive charges will be flowing toward the negative terminal. In the second case the positive charges will be flowing toward the positive terminal. (positive charges spontaneously move towards the terminal of lower electric potential). In the first case the positive charges are moving spontaneously toward the negative terminal (delta electric potential or voltage = - and delta PE = - ), but in the second case, energy is required to move the positive charges toward the positive terminal, resulting in delta electric potential or voltage to be positive and delta PE to be positive. That makes sense because you are storing electric energy into potential energy to be used at a later time which is what charging a battery is. So voltage drop is -ve in the first case and +ve in the second case. I'm still having some trouble seeing how this connects with the change in sign in the formula for terminal voltage?
 
It's really very simple. Draw the two cases and note the directions of the potential drop on the internal resistance.
 

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