A spark plug in a car has electrodes separated by a gap of 0.011 in. To create a

Question

A spark plug in a car has electrodes separated by a gap of 0.011 in. To create a spark and ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine, an electric field of 3.6 106 V/m is required in the gap.
(a) What potential difference must be applied to the spark plug to initiate a spark?
kV

(b) If the separation between electrodes is decreased, does the required potential difference increase, decrease, or stay the same?
increases
decreases
stays the same

(c) Explain.

(d) Find the potential difference for a separation of 0.072 in.
kV

Explanation / Answer

(a)

0.011in = 0.0002794 m

V =E*m = 3.6*10^6 * 0.0002794

= 1005.84 v OR 1.005 kV

(b)

decrease

(c)

V =E*m

AS m decreases V will decrease.

decreases

(d)

0.072 in =0.0018288 m

V =E*m = 3.6*10^6 *0.0018288

= 6583.68 v OR 6.58 kV

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