AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 11.5 C Describe the Measurement of Current and Potential Difference in a Circuit Questions

Describe how ammeters and voltmeters are connected, interpret their readings, and evaluate how nonideal meter resistance changes a measured circuit.

Exam points

place an ammeter in series with the branch whose current is to be measured
place a voltmeter in parallel between the two points whose potential difference is required
interpret ideal ammeters as zero-resistance paths and ideal voltmeters as open branches
identify the current or potential difference represented by a meter's position in a circuit
predict and explain how finite meter resistance changes current, voltage, or an inferred resistance

[Maximum number: 1]

Students are asked to determine the resistance R of identical resistors $\mathrm{R}_{\mathrm{A}}$ and $\mathrm{R}_{\mathrm{B}}$ . The resistors are connected in series with each other, a battery of known emf $\mathcal{E}$ , an inductor of known inductance L, and a switch, as shown in Figure 1. The students have access to a voltmeter that can measure potential difference as a function of time. The students are required to measure a quantity that increases with time to determine R.

On the circuit diagram shown in Figure 1, draw the voltmeter, using the following symbol, with connections that would allow the students to correctly measure a potential difference that increases with time.

Figure for Question AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 11.5 C Describe the Measurement of Current and Potential Difference in a Circuit Questions question 1 — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Voltmeter Symbol

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AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 11.5 C Describe the Measurement of Current and Potential Difference in a Circuit Questions question 1