Chapter 24: Problem 25
24.25. A \(5.80-\mu F\) , parallel-plate, air capacitor has a plate separation of 5.00 \(\mathrm{mm}\) and is charged to a potential difference of 400 \(\mathrm{V}\) . Calculate the energy density in the region between the plates, in units of \(\mathrm{J} / \mathrm{m}^{3}\) .
Short Answer
Expert verified
The energy density is approximately 28.32 J/m³.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
We are given a parallel-plate air capacitor with a capacitance of \(5.80\,\mu F\), plate separation of \(5.00\,\text{mm}\), and a potential difference of \(400\,\text{V}\). We need to find the energy density in the region between the plates.
02
Recall the Formula for Energy Density
The energy density \( u \) of an electric field in a capacitor is given by the formula \( u = \frac{1}{2}\varepsilon E^2 \), where \( \varepsilon \) is the permittivity of the medium (air, in this case) and \( E \) is the electric field. The permittivity of free space (air) \( \varepsilon_0 \approx 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \,F/m \).
03
Calculate the Electric Field
The electric field \( E \) between the plates of a capacitor is given by \( E = \frac{V}{d} \), where \( V = 400 \, \text{V} \) is the potential difference and \( d = 5.00 \, \text{mm} = 0.005 \, \text{m} \) is the separation distance. So, \( E = \frac{400}{0.005} = 80000 \, \text{V/m} \).
04
Compute the Energy Density
Now that we have \( E = 80000 \, \text{V/m} \) and \( \varepsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{F/m} \), we can compute the energy density using \( u = \frac{1}{2} \varepsilon_0 E^2 \). Substitute \( E = 80000 \, \text{V/m} \):\[ u = \frac{1}{2} \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \times (80000)^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \times 6400000000 \approx 28.32 \, \text{J/m}^3.\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parallel-Plate Capacitor
A parallel-plate capacitor is a simple yet fundamental component in the world of electronics and physics. It consists of two large, flat, conductive plates separated by a small distance and often filled with a dielectric material.
The space between the plates stores electrical energy when a voltage is applied across them. Here's what makes them important:
The space between the plates stores electrical energy when a voltage is applied across them. Here's what makes them important:
- **Storage of charge**: When a potential difference is applied to the plates, one plate becomes positively charged and the other negatively charged. This setup enables the capacitor to store electrical energy.
- **Simple structure**: The basic structure of two parallel plates makes them easy to manufacture and model mathematically.
- **Versatility**: Used in various electronic devices, from simple electronic circuits to complex systems.
Electric Field
The electric field is a vector field that represents the force exerted by an electric charge on other charges around it. In a parallel-plate capacitor, the electric field is uniform and directed from the positive plate to the negative plate.
Understanding the electric field is crucial for determining how much energy a capacitor can store, as it directly influences the energy density.Some notable characteristics of the electric field in a parallel-plate capacitor include:
Understanding the electric field is crucial for determining how much energy a capacitor can store, as it directly influences the energy density.Some notable characteristics of the electric field in a parallel-plate capacitor include:
- **Uniformity**: Inside the capacitor, the electric field is uniform, meaning it has the same magnitude and direction at every point between the plates. This uniformity simplifies calculations and theory around capacitors.
- **Dependence on voltage and distance**: The strength of the electric field, represented with the formula \( E = \frac{V}{d} \), depends on the voltage \( V \), across the plates and their separation \( d \). As the voltage increases, the electric field strength also increases, enhancing the storage capacity.
Capacitance
Capacitance is a measure of how much charge a capacitor can store per unit voltage between its plates, represented by the formula \( C = \frac{Q}{V} \), where \( C \) is the capacitance, \( Q \) is the charge, and \( V \) is the voltage.
In practical terms, it tells us how effective the capacitor is at holding charge.The important factors affecting capacitance in a parallel-plate capacitor include:
In practical terms, it tells us how effective the capacitor is at holding charge.The important factors affecting capacitance in a parallel-plate capacitor include:
- **Plate area**: Larger plates can store more charge, resulting in higher capacitance.
- **Plate separation**: Smaller distance between plates increases capacitance since it strengthens the electric field.
- **Dielectric constant**: Materials between the plates, known as dielectrics, increase capacitance by reducing the effective electric field strength, measured by the dielectric constant.