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IP A spark plug in a car has electrodes separated by a gap
Chapter 20, Problem 11P(choose chapter or problem)
Problem 11P
IP A spark plug in a car has electrodes separated by a gap of 0.025 in. To create a spark and ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine, an electric field of 3.0 × 106 V/m is required in the gap. (a) What potential difference must be applied to the spark plug to initiate a spark? (b) If the separation between electrodes is increased, docs the required potential difference increase, decrease, or stay the same? Explain, (c) Find the potential difference for a separation of 0.050 in.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Problem 11P
IP A spark plug in a car has electrodes separated by a gap of 0.025 in. To create a spark and ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine, an electric field of 3.0 × 106 V/m is required in the gap. (a) What potential difference must be applied to the spark plug to initiate a spark? (b) If the separation between electrodes is increased, docs the required potential difference increase, decrease, or stay the same? Explain, (c) Find the potential difference for a separation of 0.050 in.
ANSWER:
Step 1 of 3:
a)
Here we have to find the potential difference required for the spark plug to initiate the spark.
We know that, when the electric field becomes 3 million volts per meter, sparks occur.
The separation between the electrodes is,
.
The electric field strength is,
.
The potential difference can be calculated as,
.
So, the potential difference applied for spark is 1905 V.