Energy Density Formula: Definition and Solved Exam

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Jasmine Grover

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Energy density is referred to as the calculation of the amount of energy that may be stored in a given mass of a substance or system. As a result, the higher the energy density of a system or material, the more energy is stored in its mass. Energy may be stored in a wide variety of substances and systems.

Key Takeaways: Energy density, Energy, Density, Volume, Magnetic Field, Electric field


What is energy density?

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The total quantity of energy in a system per unit volume is known as energy density. The number of calories provided per gramme of food, for example. Foods have a low energy density, meaning they deliver less energy per gramme. Because there are less calories, we can consume more of them.

As a result, energy density can be defined as the quantity of energy accumulated in a system per unit volume. The letter U is used to represent it. Magnetic and electric fields are also important sources of energy storage.

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Energy Density Formula

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The energy density of an electric field or a capacitor is given by

U=1ε0E2/2

In the case of a magnetic field or an inductor, the energy density is given by,

U=1B2/2μ0

Both magnetic and electric fields contribute equally to the energy density of electromagnetic waves. As a result, the energy density of electric and magnetic fields is equal to the total of their energies.

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

Where,

E= electric field

ε0 = permittivity of free space

B = magnetic field

μ0 = permeability of free space


Things to Remember

  • Nuclear, chemical, electrochemical, and electrical reactions are four types of reactions that can release energy from any material.
  • In most cases, only usable or extractable energy is assessed when estimating the quantity of energy in a system.
  • In the case of electromagnetic waves, both magnetic and electric fields contribute equally to energy density. 
  • The energy density formula will equal the total of the energy density of both electric and magnetic fields.

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Sample Questions

Ques: If the electric field of a capacitor is E = 5 V/m, calculate its energy density. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

E = 5V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

The energy density formula is given as,

U=1ε0E2/2

U = 1 × 8.8541×10-12 × 52 / 2

U = 1.10×10-10FV2/m3

Ques: If the electric field of a capacitor is E = 4 V/m, calculate its energy density. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

E = 4V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

The energy density formula is given as,

U=1ε0E2/2

U = 1 × 8.8541×10-12 × 42 / 2

U = 0.7×10-10FV2/m3

Ques: If the electric field of a capacitor is E = 20 V/m, calculate its energy density. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

E = 20V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

The energy density formula is given as,

U=1ε0E2/2

U = 1 × 8.8541×10-12 × 202 / 2

U = 1.7×10-9FV2/m3

Ques: If the electric field of a capacitor is E = 10 V/m, calculate its energy density. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

E = 10V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

The energy density formula is given as,

U=1ε0E2/2

U = 1 × 8.8541×10-12 × 102 / 2

U = 4.4×10-10FV2/m3

Ques: The magnetic field has a value of 3×10-2T in a certain region of space. The electric field, on the other hand, has a value of 9×10-7V/m. Calculate the total energy density of both the electric and magnetic fields. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

B = 3×10-2T

E = 9×10-7V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

μ0 = 4π× 10-7 NA-2

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

U = (8.8541× 10-12 ×10-8×10-8)/2 + (3×10-2×3×10-2)/ 2×4π× 10-7

Total energy density U = 35842.5 + 358.1= 36200.6J/m3

Ques: The magnetic field has a value of 3×10-2T in a certain region of space. The electric field, on the other hand, has a value of 3×10-7V/m. Calculate the total energy density of both the electric and magnetic fields. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

B = 3×10-2T

E = 3×10-7V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

μ0 = 4π× 10-7 NA-2

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

U = (8.8541× 10-12 ×10-8×10-8)/2 + (3×10-2×3×10-2)/ 2×4π× 10-7

Total energy density U = 3982.5 + 358.1 = 4340.6J/m3

Ques: The magnetic field has a value of 2×10-2T in a certain region of space. The electric field, on the other hand, has a value of2×10-7V/m. Calculate the total energy density of both the electric and magnetic fields. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

B = 2×10-2T

E = 2×10-2V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

μ0 = 4π× 10-7 NA-2

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

U = (8.8541× 10-12 ×10-8×10-8)/2 + (2×10-2×2×10-2)/ 2×4π× 10-7

Total energy density U = 1770+ 159.1 = 1929.1J/m3

Ques: The magnetic field has a value of 10-2T in a certain region of space. The electric field, on the other hand, has a value of 10-7V/m. Calculate the total energy density of both the electric and magnetic fields. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

B =10-2T

E = 10-8V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

μ0 = 4π× 10-7 NA-2

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

U = (8.8541× 10-12 ×10-8×10-8)/2 + (10-2×10-2)/ 2×4π× 10-7

Total energy density U = 442.7 + 39.7 = 482.4J/m3

Ques: The magnetic field has a value of 10-3T in a certain region of space. The electric field, on the other hand, has a value of 10-8V/m. Calculate the total energy density of both the electric and magnetic fields. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

B =10-3T

E = 10-8V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

μ0 = 4π× 10-7 NA-2

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

U = (8.8541× 10-12 ×10-8×10-8)/2 + (10-3×10-3)/ 2×4π× 10-7

Ques: The magnetic field has a value of 10-1T in a certain region of space. The electric field, on the other hand, has a value of 10-8V/m. Calculate the total energy density of both the electric and magnetic fields. (3 marks)

Ans: Given,

B =10-1T

E = 10-8V/m

ε0 = 8.8541× 10-12F/m

μ0 = 4π× 10-7 NA-2

U=1ε0E2/2 + 1B2/2μ0

U = (8.8541× 10-12 ×10-8×10-8)/2 + (10-1×10-1)/ 2×4π× 10-7

Total energy density U = 44270.5+3978.8= 48249.3 J/m3

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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    The figure shows three point charges kept at the vertices of triangle ABC. The net electric field, due to this system of charges, at the midpoint M of base BC will be:

      • \( \frac{q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 l^2} \) pointing along MA
      • \( \frac{q}{\pi \epsilon_0 l^2} \) pointing along AM
      • \( \frac{q}{2 \pi \epsilon_0 l^2} \) pointing along AM
      • Zero

    • 2.
      A long solenoid of length \( L \) and radius \( r_1 \) having \( N_1 \) turns is surrounded symmetrically by a coil of radius \( r_2 \, (r_2>r_1) \) having \( N_2 \) turns (\( N_2 \ll N_1 \)) around its mid-point. Derive an expression for the mutual inductance of solenoid and coil. Is \( M_{12} = M_{21} \) valid in this case?


        • 3.
          Four independent waves are expressed as \[ (i)\; y_1=A_1\sin\omega t, \] \[ (ii)\; y_2=A_2\sin 2\omega t, \] \[ (iii)\; y_3=A_3\cos\omega t, \] \[ (iv)\; y_4=A_4\sin\left(\omega t+\frac{\pi}{3}\right) \] The interference between two of these waves is possible in

            • (i) and (iii) only
            • (iii) and (iv) only
            • (i), (iii) and (iv) only
            • All of them

          • 4.
            Draw a circuit diagram of a full-wave rectifier using p-n junction diodes. Explain its working and show the input-output waveforms.


              • 5.
                Write any two features of nuclear forces.


                  • 6.
                    If both the number of protons and the neutrons are conserved in each nuclear reaction, in what way is mass converted into energy (or vice versa) in a nuclear reaction? Explain.

                      CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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