Final answer:
The capacity of a battery is calculated by multiplying its voltage (V) by its charge capacity (Ah or mAh), giving the energy capacity in Watt-hours (Wh). It reflects how much charge a battery can deliver at a certain voltage, not just voltage or current measurements alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the capacity of a battery, one must look beyond just measuring voltage or current separately. The capacity of a battery is defined by its ability to store and deliver energy, which can be calculated by the product of voltage (V) and charge capacity (Ah). In essence, the capacity is how much charge, in Ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh), the battery can supply at a certain voltage. Manufacturers rate batteries in terms of Ah or mAh, which, when multiplied by the voltage, give the total energy content in Watt-hours (Wh).
Following the formula where energy (E) is the product of charge (Q, in Ah) and voltage (V, in volts), we can calculate battery capacity as follows:
- Identify the voltage (V) of the battery.
- Find the charge capacity rated in Ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh).
- Multiply the voltage (V) by the charge capacity (Ah or mAh) to get the energy capacity in Watt-hours (Wh).
Battery capacity is therefore not just a matter of measuring voltage or current but involves a calculation using both according to the relationship Capacity (Wh) = Voltage (V) × Charge (Ah).