What is the maximum current and electric field in a charged wire?

In summary, two 10-cm-diameter metal plates, charged to +/-12.5 nC, are connected by a 0.224-mm-diameter copper wire. The total amount of energy dissipated in the wire is dependent on the resistance of the wire and cannot be determined without that information. The maximum current in the wire is 4.17*10^5 A and the largest electric field is 1.80*10^5 V/m. The energy in the capacitor will be dissipated due to the sudden connection of the plates. The formula for energy in a capacitor is U=qV and U=1/2(Ad)E^2ε0. Attempts at finding the energy using these formulas were unsuccessful without
  • #1
haroharo
6
0

Homework Statement



Two 10-cm-diameter metal plates are 1.0 cm apart. They are charged to +/-12.5 nC. They are suddenly connected together by a 0.224-mm-diameter copper wire stretched taut from the center of one plate to the center of the other.

d)What is the total amount of energy dissipated in the wire?


Homework Equations


What is the maximum current in the wire?
4.17*105 A

What is the largest electric field in the wire?
1.80*105 V/m

U=qV
U=1/2(Ad)E2ε0

The Attempt at a Solution


I figure that you can't find the energy density and find the volume the wire occupies in the capacitor because the wire has a certain resistance restricting the flow, thus affecting the potential energy.

Attempt1:
U=qV where q = 1.6*10-19 or 12.5*10-9 & V =1.8*103
=2.88*10-16 or 2.25*10-5


Attempt 2:
U=1/2(Ad)E2ε0
=(.5)(0.0001122*pi)(0.01)(1.80*105)2*(8.854*10-12)
=5.64*10-11J

Helps Appreciated!
 
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  • #2
Well, it seems to me that all the energy in the capacitor will be dissipated.
Have you got a formula for the energy of a capacitor (with charge in it)?
 
  • #3
actually i do
awesome, thanks for the clarification!
 
  • #4
haroharo said:

Homework Statement



Two 10-cm-diameter metal plates are 1.0 cm apart. They are charged to +/-12.5 nC. They are suddenly connected together by a 0.224-mm-diameter copper wire stretched taut from the center of one plate to the center of the other.

d)What is the total amount of energy dissipated in the wire?


Homework Equations


What is the maximum current in the wire?
4.17*105 A

What is the largest electric field in the wire?
1.80*105 V/m

U=qV
U=1/2(Ad)E2ε0

The Attempt at a Solution


I figure that you can't find the energy density and find the volume the wire occupies in the capacitor because the wire has a certain resistance restricting the flow, thus affecting the potential energy.

Attempt1:
U=qV where q = 1.6*10-19 or 12.5*10-9 & V =1.8*103
=2.88*10-16 or 2.25*10-5


Attempt 2:
U=1/2(Ad)E2ε0
=(.5)(0.0001122*pi)(0.01)(1.80*105)2*(8.854*10-12)
=5.64*10-11J

Helps Appreciated!


Hey how'd u get the max current and the largest electric field in the wire?
Help would be much appreciated.Thanks in advance :)
 

Related to What is the maximum current and electric field in a charged wire?

What is energy dissipation in a wire?

Energy dissipation in a wire refers to the process in which electrical energy is converted into heat energy due to the resistance of the wire. This is also known as Joule heating.

Why does energy dissipate in a wire?

Energy dissipates in a wire because of the resistance of the wire. When an electric current flows through a wire, the electrons collide with the atoms in the wire, causing them to vibrate and release heat energy.

How does the length of a wire affect energy dissipation?

The longer the wire, the higher the resistance and thus the more energy will be dissipated. This is because the electrons have to travel a longer distance, resulting in more collisions and more heat energy being released.

What is the impact of temperature on energy dissipation in a wire?

As the temperature of a wire increases, its resistance also increases. This means that more energy will be dissipated as heat. This can lead to overheating and potentially damaging the wire or the surrounding components.

How can energy dissipation in a wire be reduced?

Energy dissipation in a wire can be reduced by using materials with lower resistance, such as copper or silver. Additionally, using thicker wires or reducing the length of the wire can also decrease energy dissipation. Proper insulation and cooling techniques can also help to reduce energy dissipation.

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