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AP Physics C E and M Unit 12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism

Describe magnetic fields and magnetic forces from moving charges and currents using field geometry, Biot–Savart reasoning, and Ampère’s law.

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

12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism question 1

[Maximum number: 10]
Figure for Question 12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism question 1 — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

A solenoid is used to generate a magnetic field. The solenoid has an inner radius a, length \ell, and N total turns of wire. A power supply, not shown, is connected to the solenoid and generates current I, as shown in the figure on the left above. The x-axis runs along the axis of the solenoid. Point P is in the middle of the solenoid at the origin of the x y z-coordinate system, as shown in the cutaway view on the right above. Assume a\ell \gg a.

Question (a)

(a)

Select the correct direction of the magnetic field at point P. +x-direction +y-direction +z-direction - x-direction -y-direction -z-direction
Justify your selection.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

On the cutaway view below, clearly draw an Amperian loop that can be used to determine the magnetic field at point P at the center of the solenoid.

Cutaway View

Cutaway View

Use Ampere's law to derive an expression for the magnetic field strength at point P. Express your answer in terms of I,,N,aI, \ell, N, a, and physical constants, as appropriate.

Some physics students conduct an experiment to determine the resistance RSR_{S} of a solenoid with radius a=0.015 ma=0.015 \mathrm{~m}, total turns N=100, and total length =0.40 m\ell=0.40 \mathrm{~m}. The students connect the solenoid to a variable power supply. A magnetic field sensor is used to measure the magnetic field strength along the central axis at the center of the solenoid. The plot of the magnetic field strength B as a function of the emf E\mathcal{E} of the power supply is shown below.

Figure for Question (b) — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
[ 3 ]

Question (c)

(c)

On the graph above, draw a best-fit line for the data.

Use the straight line to determine the resistance RSR_{S} of the solenoid used in the experiment.

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Question (d)

(d)

One of the students notes that the horizontal component of the magnetic field of Earth is 2.5×105 T2.5 \times 10^{-5} \mathrm{~T}.

Is there evidence from the graph that the horizontal orientation of the solenoid affects the measured values for B ? Yes No
Justify your answer.

Would the horizontal orientation of the solenoid affect the calculated value for RSR_{S} ? Yes No
Justify your answer.

Figure for Question (d) — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

A thin conducting loop of radius b and resistance RLR_{L} is placed concentric with the solenoid, as shown above. The current in the solenoid is decreased from I to zero over time Δt\Delta t.

[ 2 ]

12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Two small spheres have equal and opposite charges and are travelling parallel to each other with speed v to the right, as shown above. What is the direction of the magnetic field midway between the spheres at the instant shown?

A

Out of the page

B

Into the page

C

Toward the bottom of the page

D

Toward the top of the page

E

Undefined, since the magnitude of the magnetic field is zero.

Figure for Question 12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism question 2 — AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism question 3

[Maximum number: 4]

E\&M.3.
A conducting bar of mass M, length L, and negligible resistance is connected to two long vertical conducting rails of negligible resistance. The two rails are connected by a resistor of resistance R at the top. The entire apparatus is located in a magnetic field of magnitude B directed into the page, as shown in the figure above. The bar is released from rest and slides without friction down the rails.

Is the magnitude of the net magnetic field above the bar at point C greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the net magnetic field before the bar is released? Greater than Less than Equal to
Justify your answer.

While the bar is above point D, is the magnitude of the net magnetic field at point D greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the net magnetic field before the bar is released? Greater than Less than Equal to
Justify your answer.

Express your answers to parts (c) and (d) in terms of M, L, R, B, and physical constants, as appropriate.

12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism question 4

[Maximum number: 8]

Long, parallel wires S and T are a distance 2 d apart. Both wires carry equal currents I, but the

currents are in opposite directions. Both wires are parallel to the x-axis. At the instant shown

in Figure 1, Sphere 1 is a distance d above Wire S, Sphere 2 is a distance d below Wire S, and

both spheres are moving with speed v in the +x-direction. Each sphere has positive charge +Q.

Gravitational effects are negligible.

Figure 1

Figure 1

Question (a)

(a)

F1F_{1} is the magnitude of the magnetic force exerted on Sphere 1 due to the currents in wires S

and T. F2F_{2} is the magnitude of the magnetic force exerted on Sphere 2 due to the currents in

wires S and T.

Indicate whether F2F_{2} is greater than, less than, or equal to F1F_{1} by writing one of the following.

- F2>F1F_{2}>F_{1}

- F2<F1F_{2}<F_{1}

- F2=F1F_{2}=F_{1}

Justify your answer.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Derive an expression for the magnitude Btot B_{\text {tot }} of the magnetic field at the location of Sphere 2

due to the currents in wires S and T in terms of d, I, and physical constants, as appropriate.

Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the

reference information.

[ 3 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Later, Wire T carries current 3 I in the +x-direction. At the instant shown in Figure 2,

Sphere 2 is a distance d below Wire S and is moving with speed v in the +x-direction. Fnew F_{\text {new }} is

the new magnitude of the magnetic force exerted on Sphere 2 due to the currents in wires S

and T.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Indicate whether Fnew F_{\text {new }} is greater than, less than, or equal to F2F_{2} by writing one of the

following.

- Fnew >F2F_{\text {new }}>F_{2}

- Fnew <F2F_{\text {new }}<F_{2}

- Fnew =F2F_{\text {new }}=F_{2}

Briefly justify your answer by referencing your derivation in part B.

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