Question

An electric eel develops a 450 V potential difference between its head and tail. The eel can stun a fish or other prey by using this potential difference to drive a 0.80 A current pulse for 1.0 ms. What are (a) the energy delivered by this pulse and (b) the total charge that flows

Answer 1

(a) The energy delivered by the pulse is 0.36 J

(b) the total charge that flows is 0.8 mC

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

potential difference of the electric eel, V = 450 V

current flow, I = 0.8 A

time of current flow, t = 1.0 ms = 1.0 x 10⁻³ s

(a) The energy delivered by the pulse is calculated as;

E = Pt

where;

t is time

P is power developed = IV

E = (IV)t

E = IVt

where;

I is the current

V is the potential difference

E = 0.8 x 450 x 1.0 x 10⁻³

E = 0.36 J

(b) the total charge that flows is calculated as;

Q = It

where;

I is the current

t is the time

Q = 0.8 x 1.0 x 10⁻³

Q = 0.0008 C

Q = 0.8 mC.