Problem 11-46 Current and potential change - Part 2

In a particular lightning bolt, 24C of charge are transferred in 0.21s through a potential difference of 5.5×108V.

(a) What is the average current?
(b) How much electric potential energy is dissipated?


I=q/t=24C/0.21s=1.1×102A(answer to part (a))

The relationship between change in potential energy (ΔU), potential difference (ΔV) and charge q is:

(A)   ΔU=qΔV

(B)   ΔV=qΔU

(C)    q=ΔVΔU