Aconstant current of 3 Afor 4 hours is required to charge an automotive battery. If the terminal voltage is V, where t is in hours, (a) how much charge is transported as a result of the charging? (b) how much energy is expended? (c) how much does the charging cost? Assume electricity costs 9 cents/kWh.

i = current flow = 3 A
t = time interval for which the current flow = [tex]4\ h = 4\times 3600\ s = 14400\ s[/tex]
V = terminal voltage of the battery
R = rate of energy = 9 cents/kWh

Assume:

Q = charge transported as a result of charging
E = energy expended
C = cost of charging

Part (a):

We know that the charge flow rate is the electric current flow through a wire.

[tex]\therefore i = \dfrac{Q}{t}\\\Rightarrow Q =it\\\Rightarrow Q = 3\times 14400\\\Rightarrow Q = 43200\ C\\\Rightarrow Q = 43.200\ kC\\[/tex]

Hence, 43.2 kC of charge is transported as a result of charging.

Part (b):

We know the electrical energy dissipated due to current flow across a voltage drop for a time interval is given by:

[tex]E = Vit\\\Rightarrow E = V\times 3\times 4\\\Rightarrow E = 12V\ Wh\\\Rightarrow E = 0.012V\ kWh\\[/tex]

Hence, 0.012V kWh is expended in charging the battery.

Part (c):

We know that the energy cost is equal to the product of energy expended and the rate of energy.

[tex]\therefore \textrm{Cost}=\textrm{Energy}\times \textrm{Rate}\\\Rightarrow C = ER\\\Rightarrow C = 0.012V\times 9\\\Rightarrow C =0.108V\ cents[/tex]

Hence, 0.108V cents is the charging cost of the battery.