Question

A charge of $2C$ moves between two plates maintained at a potential difference of $1V$. What is the energy acquired by the charge?

Answer 1

Hint:Here first we have to use the potential difference formula where we know the value of potential difference and the charge which moves between two plates. After rearranging the formula we can calculate the work done by the change and that is the energy acquired by the change.

Complete step by step solution:
Potential Energy:
Potential difference is defined as the amount of work done on moving per change from second point to the first point.
As per the problem a charge of $2C$ moves between two plates maintained at a potential difference of $1V$.
Here we have to calculate the energy acquired by the charge.
Potential energy is a state of the system or we can say a way of storing energy as a virtue of its configuration or motion, while work done in most cases is a way of changing this energy from one body to another.
We know that potential difference formula can be written as,
$V = \dfrac{W}{Q}$
Where,
Potential difference is equal to $V = 1V$
Work done = Energy acquired = W
Change is equal to $Q = 2C$
Now putting the given values in the above equation of potential difference we will get,
$1V = \dfrac{W}{{2C}}$
Rearranging the above equation we will get,
$W = 1V \times 2C$
$ \Rightarrow W = 2J$
The SI unit of work or energy is Joules.
Hence the energy acquired by the change is $2Joule$.

Note:
Keep in mind that work done against a force increases its potential energy while work done by a force decreases its potential energy. Here we calculate the work done and the problem we are asked to find energy so remember that potential energy and work done are the same thing.