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AP Physics C E and M Unit 11: Electric Circuits

Analyze electric circuits using current, potential difference, resistance, power, circuit laws, equivalent components, and time-dependent RC behavior.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

11 Electric Circuits question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

26. A 9 V battery is connected to a 450Ω450 \Omega load. If the internal resistance of the battery is negligible, how long will it take for 2 C to pass through the load?

A

0.01 s

B

0.02 s

C

25 s

D

50 s

E

100 s

Figure for Question 11 Electric Circuits question 1 — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

11 Electric Circuits question 2

[Maximum number: 13]

The plates of a certain variable capacitor have an adjustable area. An experiment is performed to study the potential difference across the capacitor as it discharges through a resistor. A circuit is to be constructed with the following available equipment: a single ideal battery of potential difference ΔV0\Delta V_{0}, a single voltmeter, a single resistor of resistance R, a single uncharged variable capacitor set to capacitance C, and one or more switches as needed.

Figure for Question 11 Electric Circuits question 2 — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Question (a)

(a)

Using the symbols shown, draw a schematic diagram of a circuit that can charge the capacitor and may also be used to study the potential difference across the capacitor as it discharges through the resistor.

The capacitor is fully charged by the battery. At time t=0, the capacitor starts discharging through the resistor.

[ 4 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Show that the potential difference ΔVC\Delta V_{C} across the capacitor as a function of time t is ΔVC(t)=ΔV0etRC\Delta V_{C}(t)=\Delta V_{0} e^{-\frac{t}{R C}} as the capacitor discharges.

[ 3 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The experiment is performed using a resistor of R=150kΩR=150 \mathrm{k} \Omega. Data for the potential difference ΔVC\Delta V_{C} across the capacitor as a function of t are recorded and a plot of ln(ΔVCΔV0)\ln \left(\frac{\Delta V_{C}}{\Delta V_{0}}\right) as a function of t is created on the graph below.

Figure for Question (c) — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Draw the best-fit line for the data.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Using the best-fit line, calculate a value for the unknown capacitance C.

[ 3 ]

Question (d)

(d)

The ideal battery is then replaced with a non-ideal battery with internal resistance r, and the experiment is repeated.

[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Would the slope of the graph in this final experiment change compared to the graph in part (c)? Yes No

Briefly justify your answer.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Would the vertical intercept of the graph in this final experiment change compared to the graph in part (c)? Yes No

Briefly justify your answer.

Figure for Question (ii) — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
[ 1 ]

11 Electric Circuits question 3

[Maximum number: 10]

In Experiment 1, students are asked to use a graph to determine the resistivity ρ1\rho_{1} of a circuit

element that is connected to a variable power supply, as shown in Figure 1. The circuit element

is cylindrical and has uniform resistivity. The students have access to a voltmeter, an ammeter,

and a ruler.

Figure 1

Figure 1

Question (a)

(a)

Describe a procedure for collecting data that would allow the students to use a graph to

determine ρ1\rho_{1}, including any steps necessary to reduce experimental uncertainty.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Describe how the collected data could be graphed and how that graph would be analyzed to

determine ρ1\rho_{1}.

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

In Experiment 2, the students are asked to use a graph to determine the resistivity ρ2\rho_{2} of solid,

cylindrical resistors made of the same material but of different lengths L. The cross-sectional

area of each resistor is 5.0×106 m25.0 \times 10^{-6} \mathrm{~m}^{2}. The students directly measure the resistance R between the

ends of each resistor. Table 1 provides L and R for each resistor.

Table 1

Table 1

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Indicate two quantities, either measured quantities from Table 1 or additional calculated

quantities, that could be graphed to produce a straight line that could be used to

determine ρ2\rho_{2}.

Vertical axis:

Horizontal axis:

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

On the grid provided, create a graph of the quantities indicated in part C (i).

- Use Table 2 to record the measured or calculated quantities that you will plot.

- Clearly label the axes, including units as appropriate.

- Plot the points you recorded in Table 2.

Figure for Question (ii) — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
[ 2 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Draw a best-fit line for the data graphed in part C (ii).

[ 1 ]

Question (d)

(d)

Using the best-fit line that you drew in part C (iii), calculate an experimental value for ρ2\rho_{2}.

[ 2 ]

11 Electric Circuits question 4

[Maximum number: 5]

A rotating, circular, conducting loop of area A and resistance R is in an external uniform

magnetic field of magnitude B that is directed in the -z-direction. At time t=0, the magnetic

field is perpendicular to the plane of the loop, as shown in Figure 1. The loop is rotating with

constant angular speed ω\omega and period T about the dashed line that is along the diameter of the

loop. The value of the magnetic flux through the loop as a function of time t is Φ=BAcos(ωt)\Phi=B A \cos (\omega t).

Figure 1

Figure 1

Question (a)

(a)

On the axes shown in Figure 3, sketch a graph of the instantaneous power P dissipated by

the loop as a function of t during the time interval 0tT0 \leq t \leq T.

Figure 3

Figure 3

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Indicate whether the sketch you drew in part C is or is not consistent with the bars that

you drew in part A. Briefly justify your answer by referencing the functional dependence

between P and ε|\varepsilon|.

[ 2 ]
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