Question

A cloud is at potential of $8 \times {10^6}volt$ relative to the ground. A charge of 80$$$$coulomb is transferred in a lightning stroke between the cloud and the ground. Assuming the potential of the cloud to remain constant, the energy dissipated is-
A. $6.4 \times {10^8}Joule$
B. $6.4 \times {10^5}Joule$
C. ${10^5}Joule$
D. ${10^7}Joule$

Answer 1

As we know that dissipation generally refers that energy is wasted. If some charge q is moving through a resistor then it loses a potential energy [;qV], where q is the charge and V is the potential drop across the resistor. If potential energy is converted into heat then this conversion is known as dissipation. The power dissipated in a resistor is the energy dissipated per unit time.

Formula used:
$E = qV$
Here $q$ is charge and $V$ is potential and $E$ is the energy dissipated.

Complete step by step answer:
As we know that,
$E = qV$---- (1)
Here $q$ is charge and $V$ is potential. Both charge and potential are given in this question.
$q$ = 80$$$$coulomb
$V$ = $8 \times {10^6}volt$
Now, Substitute both the values of charge and potential in equation (1)
We get-
$80 \times 8 \times {10^6}$
$\therefore 6.4 \times {10^8}J$

So, this much energy is dissipated. Hence, option A is correct.

Additional information:
Electrical energy is an important concept in science, yet it is frequently misunderstood. So what exactly is electrical energy and what are some of the rules applied when it is used in calculations?

Electrical energy is the energy derived from electric potential energy or kinetic energy of the charged particles. In general, it is referred to as the energy that has been converted from electric potential energy. We can define electrical energy as the energy generated by the movement of electrons from one point to another. The movement of charged particles along/through a medium (say wire) constitutes current or electricity.

Note: Also we can determine the value of charge if the potential and the energy dissipated is given by using the same equation (1). In this question we know the formula between the energy, potential and charge. After substituting all the values, we can easily find the energy dissipated.