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'lo
In my calc based physics class, we are studying circuits and I
talked=
about batteries and capacitors. =20
I explained that a capacitor stored electrical energy..yadda yadda
One of my students then asked me what the difference between a
capaci=
tor and a battery is. I was like a capacitor stores energy, and a
ba=
ttery is a voltage source. =20
He then asked me why you would need a capacitor in the first place,
w=
hy not just use batteries. I was like you need to store charge for
s=
omethings and a battery can't do that.
It seems there is a piece in here that is important. He thinks
somet=
hing about the battery and the capacitor is the same and I am at a
lo=
ss to explain what that could not be or how to explain the
differenc=
es better.
My guess is that he thinks that a battery has charge and holds the
ch=
arge...
Thanks
Tina
Tina Fanetti
Physics Instructor
Western Iowa Technical Community College
4647 Stone Ave
Sioux City IA 51102
712-274-8733 ext 1429