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QPage 196: Q11: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Electric Current in Conductors Page 196: Q11 Solution: Is work done by a battery always equal to the thermal energy…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often assume that the work done by the battery ($W = QV$) is fully converted into thermal energy or stored energy, but in reality, exactly half is stored in the capacitor ($U = \frac{1}{2}QV$) and the other half is dissipated as heat in the circuit resistance.

Is work done by a battery always equal to the thermal energy developed in electrical circuit? What happens if a capacitor is connected in the circuit?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** No, work done by a battery is not always equal to thermal energy developed. If a capacitor is connected, some energy is stored in the electric field of the capacitor. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** The battery does work W=QVW = QV to charge a capacitor. The energy stored in the capacitor is U=frac12QVU = \\frac{1}{2}QV. The remaining frac12QV\\frac{1}{2}QV is dissipated as heat in the connecting wires and electromagnetic radiation. Hence, work done by battery � thermal energy developed [citation:8].

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