In a particular LEGO kit, a capacitor with a capacitance of 0.600 farads is char

Question

In a particular LEGO kit, a capacitor with a capacitance of 0.600 farads is charged by a solar cell. The solar cell produces a potential difference of 5.00 volts across the capacitor. The capacitor is then disconnected from the solar cell and connected to the motor of a small LEGO car. The car has a total mass (including the capacitor) of 230 grams. Assuming that 60% of the energy stored in the capacitor gets converted into the car's kinetic energy, what is the maximum speed reached by the car? Assume the car starts from rest, and travels on a flat floor.

Explanation / Answer

Energy gain by the capacitor = (1/2)CV2 = (1/2)*(0.6)*(52) =7.5 J
Energy converted into the kinetic energy = 0.6*7.5 = 4.5 J
(1/2)mV2 = 4.5
where m is the mass of the car and V is the velocity
(1/2)(0.23)*V2 = 4.5
V = 6.255 m/s

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