Electrical Potential Energy and More!

Choose the correct statement comparing gravitational potential energy to electrical potential energy:

• As an object moves further away from the surface of the earth, it gains gravitational potential energy. As an electron moves further away from a positive plate, it gains electrical potential energy.

• Mechanical energy is the sum of electrical potential energy and gravitational energy.

• Electrical potential energy is the same as gravitational potential energy

• As objects move away from any positive object, the neutrally charged object will gain gravitational potential energy and electrical potential energy.

A battery uses the law of conservation of energy to transform different forms of energy. Which path of energy transformation of a battery powered fan is correct?

• Mechanical energy to electrical energy to chemical energy

• Chemical energy to electrical energy to mechanical energy

• Heat energy to electrical energy to mechanical energy

• Electrical energy to chemical energy to mechanical energy

Potential difference is:

• Inversely proportional to the change in electrical potential energy

• The measurement of electrical potential energy of a charge

• The ratio of the change in electrical potential energy to the magnitude of a charge

• Directly related to the magnitude of the charge

Capacitors are similar to batteries but have different uses. Which of the following tools are powered by capacitors?

• Toaster

• Microwave

• Camera flash

• Computer charger

While capacitors are similar to batteries, there is one major difference. Which of the following statements explains the difference between capacitors and batteries:

• Capacitors convert electrical potential energy into electrical current/energy while batteries convert chemical energy into electrical current/energy

• Batteries are not widely used while capacitors are

• Capacitors have terminals while batteries have plates

• A battery can use a dielectric to increase the strength of battery, while a capacitor cannot

The charging of a capacitor stops when:

• There is no net charge on the plates

• The potential difference between the plates is equal to the applied potential difference to the capacitor

• Unequal amounts of charges accumulate on the plates

• There is equal charges on each plate

Which of the following types of capacitors would hold the most capacitance?

• Two large square plates

• Two large spherical plates

• Two large cylindrical plates

• Two regular-sized spherical plates

Below is an example of a dielectric being used in a capacitor. Which of the following is NOT a purpose of a dielectric?

• to keep the conducting plates from coming in contact, allowing for smaller plate separations and therefore higher capacitances

• To increase the ability to convert chemical energy into electrical energy by adding a chemical spacer between the plates

• to increase the effective capacitance by reducing the electric field strength, which means you get the same charge at a lower voltage

• to reduce the possibility of shorting out by sparking (more formally known as dielectric breakdown) during operation at high voltage.

Electric current is:

• The rate of electric charge moving through an area of wire

• The "pressure" or electrical power that could go through a circuit

• Anything that slows down and controls the flow of electric charges

• The size of a battery

In homes across the world, we utilize the wonder of electricity. We have Volta, Ohm, and others to thank for this. We refer to electricity as the movement of electrons, what is true about conventional current that is found in the outlets of our homes?

• Conventional current flows from low voltage to high voltage

• Conventional current is a myth and electricity is random magic

• Conventional current flows the opposite direction of the flow of electrons

• Conventional current in our house moves from the negative end to the positive end