Chapter 14, Problem 14.1P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The difference between electric charge (q, coulombs), electric current (I, amperes) and electric potential (E, volts) has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Electric charge:

Electric charge (q) is given in Coulombs (C). The magnitude of charge of a single electron or proton is $\text{1}{\text{.602×10}}^{\text{-19}}\text{C}$, hence a mole of electrons or protons will have charge of $\left(\text{1}{\text{.602×10}}^{\text{-19}}\text{C}\right)\left(\text{6}{\text{.022×10}}^{\text{23}}{\text{mol}}^{\text{-1}}\right)\text{=9}{\text{.649×10}}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$, which is known as Faraday constant F.

The electric charge in coulombs can be expressed as,

$\text{q=n}\text{.N}\text{.F}$

Where q=coulombs

n=unit charges per molecule

N=moles

F= $\frac{\text{Coulombs}}{\text{mole}{\text{e}}^{\text{-}}}$

The units work since the number of unit charges per molecules, n is dimensionless.

Electric current:

The quantity of charge that flows in each second through a circuit is called as electric current. Ampere is the unit of electric current and is expressed as A.

A current of one Ampere tells about a charge of one coulomb per second flowing across a point in a circuit.

Electric potential:

Electric potential between two points is the work required or done per unit charge when charge gets transferred from one point to other. Volts is unit of electric potential. The more the potential difference between two points, the more amount of work is required or work to be done when a charged particles moves between those points.

To explain the difference between electric charge (q, coulombs), electric current (I, amperes) and electric potential (E, volts)