AP Physics 1 3.5 Power Overview
Describe power as the rate at which energy is transferred or converted, and relate average power to energy and elapsed time.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Describe power as the rate at which energy is transferred or converted, and relate average power to energy and elapsed time.

(7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)
A motor is a device that when connected to a battery converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The motor shown above is used to lift a block of mass M at constant speed from the ground to a height H above the ground in a time interval Δt. The motor has constant resistance and is connected in series with a resistor of resistance R1 and a battery.
Mechanical power, the rate at which mechanical work is done on the block, increases if the potential difference (voltage drop) between the two terminals of the motor increases.
Determine an expression for the mechanical power in terms of M,H,Δt, and physical constants, as appropriate.
LO 5.B.5.5, SP 2.2 2 points
Determine an expression for the mechanical power in terms of M,H,Δt, and physical constants, as appropriate.
For an expression that implies reasoning in terms of energy (as opposed to e.g., kinematics)
1 point
Example: M g H
For a correct expression for the power generated by the motor lifting the block at
constant speed
1 point
MgH/Δt
Without M or H being changed, the time interval Δt can be decreased by adding one resistor of resistance R2, where R2>R1, to the circuit shown above. How should the resistor of resistance R2 be added to the circuit to decrease Δt ?
In parallel with the battery In parallel with R1 In parallel with the motor In series with the battery, R1, and the motor
In a clear, coherent, paragraph-length response that may also contain figures and/or equations, justify why your selection would decrease Δt.

LO 5.B.9.2, SP 4.2, 6.4, 7.2; LO 5.B.9.3, SP 6.4, 7.2 5 points
Without M or H being changed, the time interval Δt can be decreased by adding one resistor of resistance R2, where R2>R1, to the circuit shown above. How should the resistor of resistance R2 be added to the circuit to decrease Δt ? In parallel with the battery In parallel with R1 In parallel with the motor In series with the battery, R1, and the motor
In a clear, coherent, paragraph-length response that may also contain figures and/or equations, justify why your selection would decrease Δt.
Correct answer: "In parallel with R1 "
Note: If the wrong selection is made, the justification may still earn credit.
(b)
For a justification that correctly asserts that power must increase for Δt to decrease, or
correctly asserting that the faster the rate of energy transfer means that works gets done
in a smaller time interval
1 point
For a correct assertion that current increases as resistance of the circuit decreases
Alternate Method: Potential difference across the parallel resistors will decrease if their resistance decreases.
1 point
For making the connection that there is an increase in current specifically in the motor because it is the same as the total current in the circuit
Alternate Method: There is an increase in potential difference specifically across the motor because the potential difference across the parallel resistors decreases (Kirchhoff's loop rule).
1 point
For a justification that indicates that connecting R2 in parallel with R1 will decrease the
equivalent resistance of the circuit
1 point
For a logical, relevant, and internally consistent argument that addresses the required argument or question asked, and follows the guidelines described in the published requirements for the paragraph-length response
1 point
Example Paragraph Response 1:
The work required to lift the block is M g H, so the rate at which the motor must do work to lift the block in the given time is W/Δt=MgH/Δt. The rate at which the motor does work increases with the potential difference across the motor (Note: This information is given in the question, so no points allotted in rubric for this statement.) To decrease the time, the motor must increase the rate at which the work is done, which requires a larger potential difference across the motor (or a larger current through the motor because ΔV=IR ). To increase the potential difference across the motor, the potential difference across R1 must decrease, by Kirchhoff's loop rule (for a loop containing the battery, the motor and R1 ). When R2 is placed in parallel with R1 the equivalent resistance of the combination decreases and the potential difference across that section decreases.
Example Paragraph Response 2:
Resistor R2 should be connected in parallel with R1. This will result in a smaller equivalent resistance in series with the battery and motor, so the current in the circuit (and through the motor) will be larger. The larger motor current results in the motor having a higher mechanical power. Because this power MgH/Δt is larger and M g H is constant, the time interval Δt will be smaller.
Learning Objectives
LO 5.B.5.5: The student is able to predict and calculate the energy transfer to (i.e., the work done on) an object or system from information about a force exerted on the object or system through a distance. [See Science Practices 2.2, 6.4]
LO 5.B.9.2: The student is able to apply conservation of energy concepts to the design of an experiment that will demonstrate the validity of Kirchhoff's loop rule (ΣΔV=0) in a circuit with only a battery and resistors either in series or in, at most, one pair of parallel branches. [See Science Practices 4.2, 6.4, 7.2]
LO 5.B.9.3: The student is able to apply conservation of energy (Kirchhoff's loop rule) in calculations involving the total electric potential difference for complete circuit loops with only a single battery and resistors in series and/or in, at most, one parallel branch. [See Science Practices 2.2, 6.4, 7.2]