AP Physics C E and M 13.1: Magnetic Flux
Describe magnetic flux through an arbitrary area using the magnetic field, area vector, surface orientation, and surface integral.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Describe magnetic flux through an arbitrary area using the magnetic field, area vector, surface orientation, and surface integral.
A wire is connected to a resistor of resistance R to form a rigid rectangular loop of width L and height 2 L. An external force is exerted on the loop so that the loop always moves with constant speed v in the +x-direction, as shown in Figure 1. The loop then enters Region 1 of external uniform magnetic field of magnitude B that is directed in the -z-direction. Region 1 has boundaries x=L and x=2.5 L. The loop later enters Region 2 with two external, uniform magnetic fields, each of magnitude B, that are parallel but are directed in opposite z-directions. Region 2 has boundaries x=2.5 L and x=3.5 L. Point S is the midpoint of the leading edge of the loop and is aligned with the horizontal boundary in Region 2 that separates the two magnetic fields.
On the following axes, sketch a graph of the magnetic flux Φ through the rectangular loop as a function of the position x of Point S from x=0 to x=4.5 L. The +z-direction indicated in Figure 1 corresponds to +Φ.


For a sketch that indicates that the magnetic flux is zero from x=0 to x=L and for the
region x>3.5 L
1 point
For a sketch that indicates that the absolute value of the magnetic flux increases with a
constant slope in the region L<x<2 L
1 point
For a sketch that indicates that the magnetic flux is constant and nonzero in the region
2 L<x<2.5 L
1 point
For a sketch that indicates that the absolute value of the magnetic flux decreases from a
nonzero value at x=2.5 L to zero at x=3.5 L
1 point
Example Response
Scoring Note: A sketch that is reflected across the horizontal axis can earn the four points.
Scoring Note: The absolute values of the slopes in regions L<x<2 D and 2.5 L<x<3.5 L
are not considered for earning points in the response in part (a).
Total for part (a)
4 points