IB Physics HL B.5.6 Electrical energy transfer Question Bank

Practise IB Physics HL B.5.6 by analysing capacitor energy transfer, standby losses and efficient electrical storage or charging.

Exam points

Use E=½CV² to calculate capacitor energy before and after transfer through a circuit.
Quantify wasted electrical energy over time and compare charging or storage efficiency in practical systems.

[Maximum number: 3]

A fully charged cell of emf 6.0 V delivers a constant current of 5.0 A for a time of 0.25 hour until it is completely discharged.

The cell is then re-charged by a rectangular solar panel of dimensions $0.40 \mathrm{~m} \times 0.15 \mathrm{~m}$ at a place where the maximum intensity of sunlight is $380 \mathrm{Wm}^{-2}$ .

The overall efficiency of the re-charging process is 18 %.
Calculate the minimum time required to re-charge the cell fully.

ALTERNATIVE 1 «energy output of the panel = » VIt OR $6 \times 5 \times 0.25 \times 3600$ OR 27000 «J»

«available power = » $380 \times 0.4 \times 0.15 \times 0.18$ OR 4.1 «W»
$t=\ll \frac{27000}{4.1}=>6600<\mathrm{s} \gg$

ALTERNATIVE 2

«energy needed from Sun = » $\frac{V I t}{e f f}$ OR $\frac{6 \times 5 \times 0.25 \times 3600}{0.18}$ OR 150000 «J» « incident power=» $380 \times 0.4 \times 0.15$ OR 22.8 «W»
$t=\ll \frac{150000}{22.8}=>6600<\mathrm{S} \gg$

Marking guidance:

Allow ECF for MP3

Accept final answer in minutes (110) or hours (1.8).

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B.5.6—Electrical energy transfer question 1