Skip to main content
Ch 27: Current and Resistance
Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers 5th Edition
Knight Calc5th EditionPhysics for Scientists and EngineersISBN: 9780137344796Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 27, Problem 58a

The total amount of charge in coulombs that has entered a wire at time t is given by the expression Q=4t−t2, where t is in seconds and t≥0. Find an expression for the current in the wire at time .

Verified step by step guidance
1
The relationship between current (I) and charge (Q) is given by the formula: I=dQdt. This means the current is the time derivative of the charge.
The given expression for charge is Q=4t-t2. To find the current, differentiate this expression with respect to time (t).
Apply the power rule of differentiation to each term in the expression for Q. For the first term, 4t, the derivative is 4. For the second term, t2, the derivative is 2t.
Combine the results of the differentiation. The derivative of Q with respect to t is: I=4-2t.
Thus, the expression for the current in the wire at time t is I=4-2t. This expression can now be used to calculate the current at any specific time t, provided t ≥ 0.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electric Charge

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. It is measured in coulombs (C) and can be positive or negative. In the context of the question, the total charge Q in the wire is expressed as a function of time, indicating how charge accumulates over time.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:37
Electric Charge

Current

Electric current is the rate at which electric charge flows through a conductor, typically measured in amperes (A). It can be calculated as the derivative of charge with respect to time, I = dQ/dt. Understanding how to derive the current from the charge function is essential for solving the problem presented.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:38
Intro to Current

Differentiation

Differentiation is a mathematical process used to find the rate at which a quantity changes. In physics, it is often used to derive relationships between variables, such as finding current from charge. In this case, applying differentiation to the charge function Q = 4t - t² will yield the expression for current as a function of time.
Recommended video:
Guided course
13:04
Gravitational Force from a Solid Disk
Related Practice
Textbook Question

The resistivity of a metal increases slightly with increased temperature. This can be expressed as ρ=ρ₀[1+α(T−T₀)] , where T₀ is a reference temperature, usually 20°C, and α is the temperature coefficient of resistivity. For copper, α=3.9×10−3 °C−1. Suppose a 2.5-m-long, 0.40-mm-diameter copper wire is connected across the terminals of a 1.5 V ideal battery. What is the current in the wire at 20°C?

1
views
Textbook Question

You need to design a 1.0 A fuse that 'blows' if the current exceeds 1.0 A. The fuse material in your stockroom melts at a current density of 500 A/cm2. What diameter wire of this material will do the job?

1
views
Textbook Question

The total amount of charge in coulombs that has entered a wire at time t is given by the expression Q=4t−t2, where t is in seconds and t≥0. Graph I versus t for the interval 0≤t≤4 s.

2
views
Textbook Question

A hollow metal cylinder has inner radius a, outer radius b, length L, and conductivity σ. The current I is radially outward from the inner surface to the outer surface. Evaluate the electric field strength at the inner and outer surfaces of an iron cylinder if a=1.0 cm, b=2.5 cm, L=10 cm, and I=25 A.

1
views
Textbook Question

The current supplied by a battery slowly decreases as the battery runs down. Suppose that the current as a function of time is I=(0.75A)et6hI=\(\left\)(0.75A\(\right\))e^{-\(\frac{t}{6h}\)}. What is the total number of electrons transported from the positive electrode to the negative electrode by the charge escalator from the time the battery is first used until it is completely dead?

2
views
Textbook Question

The total amount of charge that has entered a wire at time t is given by the expression Q=(20C)(1et2.0s)Q=\(\left\)(20C\(\right\))\(\left\)(1-e^{-\(\frac{t}{2.0s}\)}\(\right\)), where t is in seconds and t≥0. What is the maximum value of the current?

1
views