You want to determine the energy stored in a capacitor for a given voltage. You

Question

You want to determine the energy stored in a capacitor for a given voltage. You measure the capacitance C and the applied voltage V and calculate the energy from U = 0.5CV2. Which of the quantities, C or V, should you measure most carefully (with the smallest relative uncertainty) to obtain the most reliable value (smallest relative uncertainty) for U?

A. C because you cannot trust the printed value of a capacitance.

B. V because its value is usually larger than the value of C.

C. You should measure C and V equally carefully because both enter the equation for U.

D. V because it is squared in the equation.

Explanation / Answer

D. Because it is squared in the equation and any uncertainty will be multiplied.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse Y
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.