Call Now to Set Up Tutoring:

(888) 888-0446

AP Physics 2 : Electricity and Magnetism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 2

Create An Account

All AP Physics 2 Resources

6 Diagnostic Tests 149 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #912 : Ap Physics 2

What is the resistance of a $\textup {1.5m}$ long copper wire with a diameter of $\textup {2.2mm}$ ?

$\rho_{copper}=1.72 * 10^{-8}\Omega\textup{m}$

Possible Answers:

$0.068\Omega$

$0.0068\Omega$

$0.7\Omega$

$6.78 * 10^{-9}\Omega$

$6.78 * 10^{-6}\Omega$

Correct answer:

$0.0068\Omega$

Explanation:

Write the following formula to find the resistance of the copper wire.

$R=\rho(\frac{L}{A})$

where $\rho$ is the resistivity in $\Omega \textup{m}$ , $\textup L$ is the length of the wire in $\textup m$ , and $\textup A$ is the cross sectional area of the wire in $\textup{m}^\textup {2}$ .

The resistivity of copper is: $1.72 * 10^{-8} \Omega \textup{m}$ .

$\textup L=1.5 \textup{m}$

$\textup A=\pi r^2=\pi(0.0011m)^2 = 1.21*10^{-6} \pi m^2$

Substitute the givens to the resistance formula and solve.

$\textup R=(1.72 * 10^{-8}\Omega \textup{m})(\frac{1.5 \textup{m}}{1.21*10^-6\pi \textup{m}^2})$

$\textup R= 0.0068\Omega$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Other Circuit Principles

3 sets of parallel resistors

$R_1=R_4=1\Omega$

$R_2=R_5= 2\Omega$

$R_3=R_6 = 3\Omega$

V_1=V_2=V_3=3V

Determine the total resistance of the given circuit.

Possible Answers:

$2.62\Omega$

$3\Omega$

$12\Omega$

$3.67\Omega$

Correct answer:

$2.62\Omega$

Explanation:

In order to find the total resistance of the circuit, we need to combine all of the parallel resistors first, then add them together as resistors in series.

Combine R_1 with R_2 :

$\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}=\frac{1}{R_{1,2}}$

$\frac{1}{1}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{R_{1,2}}$

$R_{1,2}=\frac{2}{3}\Omega$

Combine R_3 with R_4 :

$\frac{1}{R_3}+\frac{1}{R_4}=\frac{1}{R_{3,4}}$

$\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{1}=\frac{1}{R_{3,4}}$

$R_{3,4}=\frac{3}{4}\Omega$

Combine R_5 with R_6 :

$\frac{1}{R_5}+\frac{1}{R_6}=\frac{1}{R_{5,6}}$

$\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}=\frac{1}{R_{5,6}}$

$R_{5,6}=\frac{6}{5}\Omega$

Then, add the combined resistors, which are now all in series:

$R_{1,2}+R_{3,4}+R_{5,6}=R_{Total}$

$R_{Total}=\frac{2}{3}+\frac{3}{4}+\frac{6}{5}=2.62\Omega$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Consider the circuit:

Circuit_3__capacitors_

What is the total equivalent capacitance?

$C1 = 5F,\ C2 = 7F,\ C3 = 1F$

Possible Answers:

4.01F

11.31F

9.25F

2.77F

3.08F

Correct answer:

3.08F

Explanation:

Equivalent capacitance in parallel is calculated by taking the sum of each individual capacitor. We can reduce the two parallel capacitors as the following:

$C_{eq}=C2+C3 = 7F+1F= 8F$

The new equivalent circuit has two capacitors in series. This requires us to sum the reciprocals to find equivalent capacitance:

$\frac{1}{C_{tot}}=\sum\frac{1}{C} = \frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{8} = \frac{13}{40}$

$C_{tot} = 3.08F$

Report an Error

Example Question #2 : Capacitors And Capacitance

You have 3 capacitors in series. Their capcitance's are $4\mu F$ , $3\mu F$ , and $2\mu F$ . What is the total capacitance of the system?

Possible Answers:

$\frac{12}{13} \mu F$

$\frac{1}{9} \mu F$

$\frac{13}{12} \mu F$

$9 \mu F$

None of the other answers is correct

Correct answer:

$\frac{12}{13} \mu F$

Explanation:

To find the total capacitance of capacitors in series, you use the following equation:

$\frac{1}{C_{tot}} = \frac{1}{C_1}+\frac{1}{C_2}+\frac{1}{C_3}+...+\frac{1}{C_n}$ .

Our values for C_1 , C_2 , and C_3 are 4, 3, and 2. Now, we can plug in our values to find the answer.

$\frac{1}{C_{tot}} = \frac{1}{C_1}+\frac{1}{C_2}+\frac{1}{C_3}$

$\frac{1}{C_{tot}}=\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{1}{C_{tot}}= \frac{13}{12}$

The answer we have is the inverse of this. Therefore, the total capacitance is $\frac{12}{13} \mu F$ .

Report an Error

Example Question #2 : Circuit Components

You have 4 capacitors, , , , and , arranged as shown in the diagram below.

4capacitorcircuit

Their capacitances are as follows:

$\begin{align*} A&=3F \\ B&=6F \\ C&=4F \\ D&=1F \end{align*}$

What is the total capacitance of the circuit?

Possible Answers:

$\frac{49}{36}F$

$\frac{36}{49}F$

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Remember, the equations for adding capacitances are as follows:

$(Series)\ \frac{1}{C_{tot}}&=\frac{1}{C_1}+\frac{1}{C_2}+...+\frac{1}{C_n}$

$(Parallel)\ C_{tot}&=C_1+C_2+...+C_n$

Capacitors and are in series, and are in parallel, and ABC and are in parallel.

$C_{AB}&=(\frac{1}{C_A}+\frac{1}{C_B})^{-1}$

$C_{AB}=(\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{6})^{-1}$

$C_{AB}= 2$

$C_{ABC}=C_{AB}+C_C$

$C_{ABC}=2+4$

$C_{ABC}= 6$

$C_{total}=C_{ABC}+C_{D}$

$C_{total}=6+1$

$C_{total}=7$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Physics2set1q10

In this parallel-plate capacitor, the distance between the plates is 3cm , the area of each plate is 15cm^2 , and the voltage across them is .

Calculate the capacitance.

$\epsilon_0=8.854\cdot 10^{-12}\frac{C^2}{N\cdot m^2}$

Possible Answers:

$3.33\cdot 10^{-13}F$

$9.31\cdot 10^{-11}F$

$1.29\cdot 10^{-12}F$

$4.43\cdot 10^{-13}F$

$8.32\cdot 10^{-13}F$

Correct answer:

$4.43\cdot 10^{-13}F$

Explanation:

The key hint to remember here is that the capacitance depends only on the geometry of the material, not the potential difference or electric field.

For a parallel-plate capacitor,

$C=\frac{\epsilon _{0}A}{d}$

Plugging in the numbers given results in

$C=\frac{8.854\cdot 10^{-12}\frac{C^2}{N\cdot m^2}\cdot0.0015m^2}{0.03m}$

$C=4.43\cdot 10^{-13}F$

Be careful to convert the units to meters!

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Three capacitors are in parallel with each other. What can be said for certain about the total capacitance?

Possible Answers:

The total capacitance is greater than any of the individual capacitances.

The total capacitance is somewhere between the highest capacitance and the lowest capacitance (inclusive).

The total capacitance is less than any of the individual capacitances.

Nothing can be said for certain about the total capacitance.

The total capacitance is the arithmetic mean of the individual capacitances.

Correct answer:

The total capacitance is greater than any of the individual capacitances.

Explanation:

Capacitors in parallel combine according to the following equation:

$C_{tot}=C_1+C_2+...+C_n$ .

Because the capacitances are additive, and all of the capacitances are greater than zero, no matter what numbers you use, you will always end up with a number that is greater than any of the individual numbers.

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Exam1 caps

Four arrangements of capacitors are pictured. Each has an equivalent capacitance. Rank these four arrangements from highest equivalent capacitance to lowest. Assume that all capacitors are identical.

Possible Answers:

A>B>C>D

C>D>A>B

B>C>A>D

A>C>B>D

Correct answer:

C>D>A>B

Explanation:

Let's go through all of them and find the equivalent capacitance.

(A) This is just

$C_{eq}=C$

(B) There are two capacitors in series, so this is

$C_{eq}=\left ( \frac{1}{C}+\frac{1}{C}\right )^{-1}=\left ( \frac{2}{C}\right )^{-1}=\frac{1}{2}C$

$C_{eq}=C+C+C=3C$

(D) These are a combination of series and parallel. Two are in series and they are in parallel with a third,

$C_{eq}=\left ( \frac{1}{C}+\frac{1}{C}\right )^{-1}+C=\left ( \frac{2}{C}\right )^{-1}+C=\frac{3}{2}C$

So, ranking them we get

C>D>A>B

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

If the maximum amount of charge held by a capacitor at a voltage of 12V is 36C, what is the capacitance of this capacitor?

Possible Answers:

24F

0.33F

48F

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In this question, we're told the maximum amount of charge that a capacitor can hold at a given voltage. We're then asked to determine the capacitance. To do this, we'll need to use the expression for capacitance.

$C=\frac{Q}{V}$

Plug in the values given to us in the question stem:

$C=\frac{36 C}{12 V}=3F$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Imagine a capacitor with a magnitude of charge Q on either plate. This capacitor has area A, separation distance D, and is connected to a battery of voltage V. If some external agent pulls the capacitor apart such that D doubles, did the voltage difference between the plates increase, decrease or stay the same?

Possible Answers:

It depends on the voltage of the battery

Stay the same

Increase

Decrease

Correct answer:

Stay the same

Explanation:

The fact that the system is still connected to the battery indicate a constant V so regardless what happens to the capacitor, V stays fixed.

Report an Error

View Tutors

Madeline
Certified Tutor

University of New Mexico, Bachelor, Biology.

View Tutors

Salman
Certified Tutor

Payam Noor University,, Bachelor of Science, Physics. University of Kashan, Doctor of Philosophy, Physics.

View Tutors

Loren
Certified Tutor

Sonoma State University, Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy. Saint Marys College of California, Certificate, Special Education.

All AP Physics 2 Resources

6 Diagnostic Tests 149 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Popular Subjects

Algebra Tutors in Boston, English Tutors in Phoenix, MCAT Tutors in Dallas Fort Worth, Physics Tutors in New York City, Math Tutors in Miami, Math Tutors in Philadelphia, Physics Tutors in Chicago, English Tutors in Chicago, ACT Tutors in Atlanta, Calculus Tutors in Phoenix

Popular Courses & Classes

ACT Courses & Classes in San Diego, ACT Courses & Classes in Houston, LSAT Courses & Classes in Los Angeles, ISEE Courses & Classes in Chicago, ISEE Courses & Classes in Phoenix, ACT Courses & Classes in Seattle, SAT Courses & Classes in New York City, Spanish Courses & Classes in New York City, SAT Courses & Classes in Dallas Fort Worth, LSAT Courses & Classes in Atlanta

Popular Test Prep

LSAT Test Prep in Houston, MCAT Test Prep in Atlanta, ACT Test Prep in Houston, ISEE Test Prep in New York City, MCAT Test Prep in Miami, ACT Test Prep in Atlanta, GRE Test Prep in Philadelphia, ACT Test Prep in San Diego, ACT Test Prep in Seattle, ISEE Test Prep in Houston

DMCA Complaint

If you believe that content available by means of the Website (as defined in our Terms of Service) infringes one or more of your copyrights, please notify us by providing a written notice (“Infringement Notice”) containing the information described below to the designated agent listed below. If Varsity Tutors takes action in response to an Infringement Notice, it will make a good faith attempt to contact the party that made such content available by means of the most recent email address, if any, provided by such party to Varsity Tutors.

Your Infringement Notice may be forwarded to the party that made the content available or to third parties such as ChillingEffects.org.

Please be advised that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. Thus, if you are not sure content located on or linked-to by the Website infringes your copyright, you should consider first contacting an attorney.

Please follow these steps to file a notice:

You must include the following:

A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf; An identification of the copyright claimed to have been infringed; A description of the nature and exact location of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright, in \ sufficient detail to permit Varsity Tutors to find and positively identify that content; for example we require a link to the specific question (not just the name of the question) that contains the content and a description of which specific portion of the question – an image, a link, the text, etc – your complaint refers to; Your name, address, telephone number and email address; and A statement by you: (a) that you believe in good faith that the use of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright is not authorized by law, or by the copyright owner or such owner’s agent; (b) that all of the information contained in your Infringement Notice is accurate, and (c) under penalty of perjury, that you are either the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf.

Send your complaint to our designated agent at:

Charles Cohn Varsity Tutors LLC
101 S. Hanley Rd, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63105

Or fill out the form below:

Do not fill in this field

Contact Information

* Full legal name

Company name

* Phone number

* Email address

Address

* Address1

Address2

* City

* State

* Zipcode

* Country

Complaint Details

* URL of copyrighted work (where your original material is located)

* Please describe the copyrighted work so that it may be easily identified

I am the owner, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

This notification is accurate.

I acknowledge that there may be adverse legal consequences for making false or bad faith allegations of copyright infringement by using this process.

* Signature (your digital signature is legally binding)

HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATE SCHOOL

K-8

Search 50+ Tests

math tutoring

science tutoring

foreign languages

elementary tutoring

other

Search 350+ Subjects

AP Physics 2 : Electricity and Magnetism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 2

All AP Physics 2 Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #912 : Ap Physics 2

Example Question #1 : Other Circuit Principles

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Example Question #2 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Example Question #2 : Circuit Components

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Capacitance

All AP Physics 2 Resources

Report an issue with this question

DMCA Complaint

Contact Information

Address

Complaint Details

Email address:
Your name:
Feedback: