8.1 Electric Potential Energy and Voltage

Questions and Answers

What is a battery?

Single electrochemical cell

Combination of electrochemical cells

Both A and B (correct)

Source of solar energy

What do electrochemical cells do?

Convert chemical energy into electrical energy.

What is electric potential energy?

Electrical energy stored in a battery, providing electrons with the ability to do work.

What is voltage?

Potential difference per one coulomb of charge. Signup and view all the answers

What does a voltmeter measure?

Potential difference between two locations of charge separation. Signup and view all the answers

What unit measures potential difference?

Volt (V) Signup and view all the answers

What are battery terminals?

Points where connections are made, one positively charged and one negatively charged. Signup and view all the answers

What is kinetic energy?

Energy of a moving object due to its motion. Signup and view all the answers

What are electrodes in a battery?

Two terminals made of different metals located in an electrolyte. Signup and view all the answers

What does an electrolyte do in a battery?

Conducts electricity within the battery. Signup and view all the answers

What is energy?

Ability to do work or to move. Signup and view all the answers

What are dry cells?

Batteries used in portable devices Signup and view all the answers

What are wet cells?

Batteries commonly used in cars Signup and view all the answers

What is friction in the context of electric energy?

Rubbing two materials together to produce charge. Signup and view all the answers

What are piezoelectric crystals?

Crystals that generate electricity when mechanically stressed. Signup and view all the answers

What are photo-electrochemical cells?

Solar panels that convert light energy into electrical energy. Signup and view all the answers

What are thermocouples?

Devices that transform heat energy into electrical energy. Signup and view all the answers

How does generating electricity with a magnet work?

Moving a wire close to a magnet creates voltage across the wire. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Battery and Electrochemical Cells

A battery consists of one or more electrochemical cells combined to store electrical energy by providing electrons.
Electrochemical cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy and are known as cells or batteries.

Electric Potential Energy and Voltage

Electric potential energy is the energy stored in a battery due to the presence of electrons, enabling them to perform work once they leave the battery.
Voltage, also known as potential difference, measures the electrical potential energy per coulomb of charge, indicating the efficiency of energy transfer.

Measurement Devices

A voltmeter is a device used to measure the potential difference between two charge separation locations by connecting one needle to the positive terminal and another to the negative terminal of a battery.
Voltage is expressed in volts (V), and its value depends on the materials used in both the electrodes and the electrolyte of the electrochemical cell.

Components of a Battery

Terminals are the connection points on a battery, with one terminal positively charged (lacking electrons) and the other negatively charged (gaining extra electrons).
Electrodes are the two terminals, typically made from different metals and immersed in an electrolyte, creating a potential difference between them.

Types of Cells

Dry cells are commonly found in portable devices like flashlights and watches, representing one of the main types of batteries.
Wet cells are used in larger applications such as cars and electric vehicles, functioning similarly to dry cells but utilizing liquid electrolytes.

Energy Forms and Conversion

Kinetic energy refers to the energy of a moving object, closely associated with the concepts of heat and kinetic molecular theory.
Energy, in general, is defined as the ability to do work or cause movement.

Additional Energy Sources

Friction serves as an energy source by rubbing two materials together, leading to the transfer of electrons and charge generation.
Piezoelectric crystals generate electricity when mechanically stressed, creating a voltage through the separation of positive and negative charges within the crystal structure.
Photo-electrochemical cells, such as solar panels, harness light energy to displace electrons, providing power.
Thermocouples convert thermal energy into electrical energy using two different metal wires joined at two ends, exploiting the temperature difference.
Generators create voltage when a wire moves near a magnet, with hydroelectric power often used in systems like those in British Columbia.

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Test your knowledge on electric potential energy and voltage with these flashcards. Learn about key terms such as batteries and electrochemical cells. Perfect for students studying physics or electrical engineering.