Question

an electric catfish (figure 1) can generate a significant potential difference using stacks of special cells called electrocytes. each electrocyte develops a potential difference of 110 mvmv.

Answer 1

Electric eels generate current via electroplaques, which in the case of the South American eel, produce a total emf based on their arrangement and individual output. Considering the resistance of the eel's body and the surrounding water, the current generated can be calculated using Ohm's Law.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electric fish like the South American eel are capable of generating an electric current using specialized cells known as electroplaques. Each electroplaque can produce an electromotive force (emf) of 0.15 V, with an internal resistance of 0.25 Ω. Given that these are organized in an array of 140 rows with 5000 electroplaques each, and considering the resistance of the water surrounding the eel is 800 Ω, we can calculate the current the eel can produce. The total emf can be determined by multiplying the emf per electroplaque by the number of electroplaques in series (one per row), and the total internal resistance is the resistance per electroplaque multiplied by the number of electroplaques in parallel (140 rows). Using Ohm's Law (V = IR), the overall current produced in water is determined by the net emf divided by the total resistance (the sum of internal resistance and the resistance of the water).