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AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 11.5 A Describe the Equivalent Resistance of Multiple Resistors Connected in a Circuit Questions

Describe and analyse series, parallel, and compound resistor networks using equivalent resistance, shared-current, and shared-voltage relationships.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2024
Course
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Exam points

  • identify which resistors are genuinely in series or parallel by tracing nodes and available current paths
  • reduce a compound resistor network step by step to determine its equivalent resistance
  • use equal current for series elements and equal potential difference for parallel branches
  • calculate total and branch currents or voltage drops after reducing a resistor network
  • solve for an unknown resistor from equivalent resistance, branch current, or measured potential difference

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 11.5 A Describe the Equivalent Resistance of Multiple Resistors Connected in a Circuit Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

E\&M.2.
The circuit shown above consists of a source of variable emf E\mathcal{E}, an ideal ammeter A, an ideal voltmeter V, a resistor of resistance R, and a sample of wire with resistance r.

Question (a)

(a)

How does the current through the wire sample compare with the current through the resistor R ? It is greater through R. It is greater through the sample. It is the same through both. It depends on the resistance of the sample.
Justify your answer.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

How does the potential difference across the wire sample compare with the potential difference across the resistor R ? It is greater across R. It is greater across the sample. It is the same across both. It depends on the resistance of the sample.
Justify your answer.
With the sample of wire in place, the emf of the source is set to a given value. The current through and potential difference across the resistor R are measured. This is repeated for several values of emf, and the data are recorded in the table below.

Table for Question (b) — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
[ 2 ]
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