The voltage produced by a single nerve or muscle cell is quite small, but there are many species of fish that use multiple action potentials in series to produce significant voltages. The electric organs in these fish are composed of specialized disk-shaped cells called electrocytes. The cell at rest has the usual potential difference between the inside and the outside, but the net potential difference across the cell is zero. An electrocyte is connected to nerve fibers that initially trigger a depolarization in one side of the cell but not the other. For the very short time of this depolarization, there is a net potential difference across the cell, as shown in Figure P23.86. Stacks of these cells connected in series can produce a large total voltage. Each stack can produce a small current; for more total current, more stacks are needed, connected in parallel.
Figure P23.86
In an electric eel, each electrocyte can develop a voltage of 150 m V for a short time. For a total voltage of 450 V, how many electrocytes must be connected in series?
A. 300
B. 450
C. 1500
D. 3 000
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 23 Solutions
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Essential University Physics: Volume 2 (3rd Edition)
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Tutorials in Introductory Physics
Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
University Physics Volume 1
Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)
- Assume a length of axon membrane of about 0.10 m is excited by an action potential (length excited = nerve speed pulse duration = 50.0 m/s 2.0 103 s = 0.10 m). In the resting state, the outer surface of the axon wall is charged positively with K+ ions and the inner wall has an equal and opposite charge of negative organic ions, as shown in Figure P18.43. Model the axon as a parallel-plate capacitor and take C = 0A/d and Q = C V to investigate the charge as follows. Use typical values for a cylindrical axon of cell wall thickness d = 1.0 108 m, axon radius r = 1.0 101 m, and cell-wall dielectric constant = 3.0. (a) Calculate the positive charge on the outside of a 0.10-m piece of axon when it is not conducting an electric pulse. How many K+ ions are on the outside of the axon assuming an initial potential difference of 7.0 102 V? Is this a large charge per unit area? Hint: Calculate the charge per unit area in terms of electronic charge e per squared (2). An atom has a cross section of about 1 2 (1 = 1010 m). (b) How much positive charge must flow through the cell membrane to reach the excited state of + 3.0 102 V from the resting state of 7.0 102 V? How many sodium ions (Na+) is this? (c) If it takes 2.0 ms for the Na+ ions to enter the axon, what is the average current in the axon wall in this process? (d) How much energy does it take to raise the potential of the inner axon wall to + 3.0 102 V, starting from the resting potential of 7.0 102 V? Figure P18.43 Problem 43 and 44.arrow_forwardConsider the circuit shown in Figure P20.52, where C1 = 6.00 F, C2 = 3.00 F, and V = 20.0 V. Capacitor C1 is first charged by closing switch S1. Switch S1 is then opened, and the charged capacitor is connected to the uncharged capacitor by closing S2. Calculate (a) the initial charge acquired by C1 and (b) the final charge on each capacitor. Figure P20.52arrow_forwardConsider the circuit shown in Figure P26.24, where C1, = 6.00 F, C2 = 3.00 F. and V = 20.0 V. Capacitor C1 is first charged by closing switch S1. Switch S1 is then opened, and the charged capacitor is connected to the uncharged capacitor by closing Calculate (a) the initial charge acquired by C, and (b) the final charge on each capacitor.arrow_forward
- A Pairs of parallel wires or coaxial cables are two conductors separated by an insulator, so they have a capacitance. For a given cable, the capacitance is independent of the length if the cable is very long. A typical circuit model of a cable is shown in Figure P27.87. It is called a lumped-parameter model and represents how a unit length of the cable behaves. Find the equivalent capacitance of a. one unit length (Fig. P27.87A), b. two unit lengths (Fig. P27.87B), and c. an infinite number of unit lengths (Fig. P27.87C). Hint: For the infinite number of units, adding one more unit at the beginning does not change the equivalent capacitance.arrow_forwardA variable air capacitor used in a radio tuning circuit is made of N semicircular plates, each of radius R and positioned a distance d from its neighbors, to which it is electrically connected. As shown in Figure P20.38, a second identical set of plates is enmeshed with the first set. Each plate in the second set is halfway between two plates of the first set. The second set can rotate as a unit. Determine the capacitance as a function of the angle of rotation , where = 0 corresponds to the maximum capacitance. Figure P20.38arrow_forwardThree capacitors are connected to a battery as shown in Figure P16.44. Their capacitances are C1 = 3C, C2 = C, and C3 = 5C. (a) What is the equivalent capacitance of this set of capacitors? (b) State the ranking of the capacitors according to the charge they store from largest to smallest. (c) Rank the capacitors according to the potential differences across them from largest to smallest. (d) Assume C3 is increased. Explain what happens to the charge stored by each capacitor. Figure P16.44arrow_forward
- The immediate cause of many deaths is ventricular fibrillation, an uncoordinated quivering of the heart, as opposed to proper beating. An electric shock to the chest can cause momentary paralysis of the heart muscle, after which the heart will sometimes start organized beating again. A defibrillator is a device that applies a strong electric shock to the chest over a time of a few milliseconds. The device contains a capacitor of a few microfarads, charged to several thousand volts. Electrodes called paddles, about 8 cm across and coated with conducting paste, are held against the chest on both sides of the heart. Their handles are insulated to prevent injury to the operator, who calls Clear! and pushes a button on one paddle to discharge the capacitor through the patient's chest Assume an energy of 3.00 102 W s is to be delivered from a 30.0-F capacitor. To what potential difference must it be charged?arrow_forwardFind the charge on each of the capacitors in Figure P16.43. Figure P16.43arrow_forward(a) Calculate the potential difference between points a and b in Figure P27.37 and (b) identify which point is at the higher potential. Figure P27.37arrow_forward
- (a) What is the energy stored in the 10.0 F capacitor of a heart defibrillator charged to 9.00103 V ? (b) Find the amount of stored charge.arrow_forwardA pair of capacitors with capacitances CA = 3.70 F and CB = 6.40 F are connected in a network. What is the equivalent capacitance of the pair of capacitors if they are connected a. in parallel and b. in series?arrow_forwardReferring to Figure CQ21.4, describe what happens to the light-bulb after the switch is closed. Assume the capacitor has a large capacitance and is initially uncharged. Also assume the light illuminates when connected directly across the battery terminals.arrow_forward
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningCollege PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781285737027Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations...PhysicsISBN:9781133939146Author:Katz, Debora M.Publisher:Cengage Learning
- Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology ...PhysicsISBN:9781305116399Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern ...PhysicsISBN:9781337553292Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage Learning