A capacitor stores a separation of charge. To separate the charges on a capacitor, you have to move charges against where the E field wants to push them (the oppositely charges on the two plates are attracted and want to move together), so charging takes work. That work becomes stored energy -- just like carrying water up a hill so that you can let it roll down at a later time and turn a generator. The total amount of energy stored in a capacitor is ½|Q||ΔV|. We'll use this to determine the amount of energy stored in a cell membrane.In discussion, we found that a cell membrane maintains a potential difference of about 70 mV (0.07 V) between the inside and outside of the membrane. We also found that a 1 μm by 1 μm section of the membrane has a capacitance of about 1.75  10-15 F. The radius of the cell is 10 μm.  4. What is the total energy stored in the full cell membrane? The answer is NOT 1.539e-13, 8.56e-18, or 4.28e-18.

College Physics
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285737027
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter16: Electrical Energy And Capacitance
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 6CQ: An air-filled parallel-plate capacitor with capacitance C0 stores charge Q on plates separated by...
icon
Related questions
Question

A capacitor stores a separation of charge. To separate the charges on a capacitor, you have to move charges against where the E field wants to push them (the oppositely charges on the two plates are attracted and want to move together), so charging takes work. That work becomes stored energy -- just like carrying water up a hill so that you can let it roll down at a later time and turn a generator. The total amount of energy stored in a capacitor is ½|Q||ΔV|. We'll use this to determine the amount of energy stored in a cell membrane.

In discussion, we found that a cell membrane maintains a potential difference of about 70 mV (0.07 V) between the inside and outside of the membrane. We also found that a 1 μm by 1 μm section of the membrane has a capacitance of about 1.75  10-15 F.

The radius of the cell is 10 μm. 

4. What is the total energy stored in the full cell membrane?

The answer is NOT 1.539e-13, 8.56e-18, or 4.28e-18. 

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Parallel-plate capacitor
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781285737027
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics Volume 2
University Physics Volume 2
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168161
Author:
OpenStax
Publisher:
OpenStax
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations…
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations…
Physics
ISBN:
9781133939146
Author:
Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student…
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student…
Physics
ISBN:
9780078807213
Author:
Paul W. Zitzewitz
Publisher:
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill