EMC Question of the Week: August 28, 2017
A large truck with an absolute capacitance of 1,100 pF accumulates 3 μC of charge as it travels down the road. What is the approximate voltage of the truck relative to the earth?
- 38 kV
- 13 kV
- 2.7 kV
- 1.5 kV
Answer
The correct answer is "c". The charge on an object divided by its absolute capacitance is its voltage relative to a distant uncharged ground.
Cars and trucks can accumulate charge generated by the tires as they roll over non-conductive surfaces. Charge can also be generated during the transfer of passengers or payloads.
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