Electric eels. Electric eels and electric fish generate...

Electric eels. Electric eels and electric fish generate large potential differences that are used to stun 9 enemies and prey. These potentials are produced by cells that each can generate 0.10 V. We can plausibly model such cells as charged capacitors. (a) How should these cells be connected $(\mathrm{in}$ series or in parallel) to produce a total potential of more than 0.10 $\mathrm{V} ?$ (b) Using the connection in part (a), how many cells must be connected together to produce the 500 $\mathrm{V}$ surge of the electric eel?

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Key Concepts

Series Connection

In a series circuit, the voltage contributions from each individual cell add together, which is why connecting the cells in series allows the overall potential difference to exceed the voltage of a single cell. This principle is critical in designing circuits where higher voltages are required from lower voltage components.

Electric Potential Difference

The electric potential difference, or voltage, is the measure of energy difference per unit charge between two points in a circuit. In the context of the problem, achieving a total voltage of 500 V requires adding together the individual 0.10 V cells, illustrating the basic concept of how voltage can be accumulated across multiple sources.

Capacitors as Voltage Sources

Modeling the cells as charged capacitors emphasizes the idea that each cell can store and release a fixed amount of electrical energy. When connected in series, the stored charges contribute to a cumulative voltage that allows biological systems like electric eels to generate significantly high potential differences.

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