The Student Room Group
<a https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7467335'> Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>
<a https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7467335'> Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>
<a https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7467335'> Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Why does a fully charged capacitor have a potential difference?

When a capacitor is fully charged there is no current in the circuit. So since V=IR, and there is 0 current (I) surely the potential difference should be 0 also?
Also, if potential difference is the energy transferred from the circuit to the surroundings per unit of charge. What is the energy being transferred to in a circuit with a fully charged capacitor?
Reply 1
Avatar for Joinedup
Joinedup
20
Original post by FarmerMan
When a capacitor is fully charged there is no current in the circuit. So since V=IR, and there is 0 current (I) surely the potential difference should be 0 also?
Also, if potential difference is the energy transferred from the circuit to the surroundings per unit of charge. What is the energy being transferred to in a circuit with a fully charged capacitor?


that's ohm's law the equation for current flowing in a resistance, But pd can exist without a current; static electricity, if charged particles have previously been pushed into different concentrations on the 2 plates and then are left sitting there.
Original post by FarmerMan
When a capacitor is fully charged there is no current in the circuit. So since V=IR, and there is 0 current (I) surely the potential difference should be 0 also?
Also, if potential difference is the energy transferred from the circuit to the surroundings per unit of charge. What is the energy being transferred to in a circuit with a fully charged capacitor?


Think of potential difference as an analogy to water pressure provided by a tank (capacitor) some height off the ground and water flowing in a pipe is the current.

Then a current can fill the tank and be shut off, but the water still remains in the tank and provides a pressure which only flows as a current again when the circuit is completed.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you