AP Physics 10: Current Electricity Name __________________________

A. Circuit Elements
1. purpose of circuit is to control the direction and
amount of charge that flows to circuit elements
2. electric current, I = Q/t (A)
a. ampere, A = C/s
b. current flows from a high voltage to low voltage
1. Vhigh  Vlow (conventional current)
2. analogous to water running down hill
c. electron flow through conductor
1. I = Nqe/t
a. N is number of electrons
b. qe is charge per electron (1.6 x 10-19 C)
2. Vlow  Vhigh (opposite conventional current)
d. Ohm’s law: V = IR (I = V/R)—river analogy
1. electron flow through metal is analogous to
water running down a river channel
2. river current depends on channel steepness
(steeper channel = faster current): I  V
3. river current depends on channel roughness
(rougher channel = slower current): I  1/R
4. Ohm's law is a generalization, not natural law
3. electromotive force, emf (E or V)
a. general term for any devise that can generate a
voltage gradient, E = Vhigh – Vlow
b. E produced by chemical reaction (battery) or
induction (generator)
c. terminal voltage (V) and emf (E) of a battery
1. current flow out of a battery is limited by the
internal resistance, r, of the battery
2. terminal voltage, V = E ± Ir
3. (–) when discharging, (+) when charging
4. resistor, R ()
a. ohm,  = V/A
b. general term for anything that resists current (light
bulb, heater, motor)
c. R = L/A

L
1. depends on the material and state
a. resistivity,  (•m)
b. increases as temperature increases
2. proportional to length, L (m)
3. inversely proportional to area, A (m2)
d. as current flows through a resistor
1. I is constant, I = V/R
2. V decreases, V = -IR
3. power is consumed, P = IV
Steps Algebra
start with P = W/t
substitute QV for W P = (QV)/t
regroup P = (Q/t)V
substitute I for Q/t P = IV
substitute IR for V P = I(IR) = I2R
substitute V/R for I P = (V/R)2R = V2/R
5. capacitor (discussed earlier)
a. Q = CV measured in Coulombs, C
b. C =єoA/d measured in Farads, F
(єo = 8.85 x 10-12 C2/N•m2)
c. UC = ½QV = ½CV2 = ½Q2/V measured in Joules, J
d. E = V/d measured in V/m or N/C
 6. symbols for circuit elements

7. Circuit diagram of a battery, resistor, capacitor and

switch

B. Series and Parallel Circuit Design

1. batteries in series
a. total voltage: Vs = V1 ± V2 ± V3
b. add when + to – (current exits + pole)
c. subtract when + to + (current exits higher V)
2. resistors
a. series
R1 R2 R3
1. Rs = R1 + R2 + R3

Steps Algebra
start with R = Ltot/A
substitute L1 + L2 + L3 for Ltot Rs = (L1 + L2 + L3)/A
distribute Rs = L1/A + L2/A +
substitute R for L/A L3/A
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3
2. current, I, is the same for all resistors
3. share of voltage drop, Vn = IRn
b. parallel
R1
R2
R3
1. 1/Rp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
Steps Algebra
start with R = L/Atot
substitute A1 + A2 + A3 for Rp = L/(A1 + A2 + A3)
Atot 1/Rp = (A1 + A2 + A3)/L
inverse both sides 1/Rp = A1/L + A2/L +
distribute A3 / L
substitute 1/R for A/L 1/Rp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
2. voltage, V, is the same for all resistors
3. share of current, In = V/Rn
3. capacitors  Determine charge, Q = CV, and energy, Uc = ½QV,
a. series for all capacitors
C1 C2 C3
1. 1/Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3
Steps Algebra
start with C =єoA/dtot
substitute d1 + d2 + d3 for Cs = єoA/(d1 + d2 + d3)
dtot 1/Cs = (d1 + d2 + d3)/єoA
inverse both sides 1/Cs = d1/єoA + d2/єoA + d3/єoA
distribute 1/Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3
substitute 1/C for d/єoA
2. charge, Q, is the same for all capacitors
3. share of voltage drop, Vn = Q/C
b. parallel
C1

C2

C3
1. Cp = C1 + C2 + C3
Steps Algebra
start with C =єoAtot/d
substitute A1 + A2 + A3 for Cp = єo(A1 + A2 + A3)/d
Atot Cp = єoA1/d + єoA2/d + єoA3/d
distribute Cp = C1 + C2 + C3
substitute C for єoA/d
2. voltage, V, is the same for all capacitors
3. share of charge, Qn = CnV
4. Kirchhoff’s rules
a. loop rule: V = 0 for any complete loop
b. junction rule: Iin = Iout for any junction
5. determining the overall resistance, Rtot, problems.
 look for small groups of series or parallel resistors

o combine 8  + 4 : 1/Rp = 1/8 + 1/4  R = 2.7 

o combine 6  + 2.7  = 8.7 
o combine 8.7  + 10 : 1/Rp = 1/8.7 + 1/10  R = 4.8 
o combine 4.8  + 5.0  + 0.50  = 7.3 
6. Solving complex circuit problems
 Determine overall voltage, Vtot
 Determine overall resistance, Rtot
 Determine current from the battery, I = Vtot/Rtot
 Determine voltage loss in resistors in series with the
battery, V = ItotR
 Determine voltage loss in parallel circuit elements
using Kirchhoff's loop rule
 Determine current, I = V/R, and power, P = IV, for
all resistors
 (2) The bulbs are connected in (series or parallel).
(3) The batteries are connected in (series or parallel).
Experiments
1. Batteries and Bulbs Lab
a. Attach wires between one set of battery terminals and
one set of light bulb terminals so that the light bulb
lights. Diagram the circuit.

b. (1) Connect a second light bulb to the circuit using

only one additional wire. Diagram the circuit

(2) The brightness of the first bulb (increased or

decreased).
(3) When one light bulb is unscrewed from its socket,
the other bulb (stays on or goes out).
(4) Why does the other light bulb go out? (This
arrangement of light bulbs is called series)

c. (1) Connect the two bulbs with the battery using two
long and two short wires so that the electricity
from the battery can go through one bulb without
having to go through the other. Diagram the
circuit.

(2) The brightness of the bulbs in this arrangement

compared to the series circuit arrangement is
(brighter or dimmer).
(3) When one light bulb is unscrewed from its socket,
the other bulb (stays on or goes out).
(4) Why does the other light bulb remain lit? (This
arrangement of light bulbs is called parallel)

d. (1) Connect two batteries and 1 bulb together in a

series circuit using two long and one short wire.
Diagram the circuit.

(2) The additional battery makes the bulb (brighter or

dimmer).
e. (1) Connect the two batteries and three bulbs so that
each bulb shines independently and brightly.
Diagram the circuit.
2. Series and Parallel Circuit Lab Resistance (R =
Current (I) Voltage (V)
How to use the Multimeter V/I)
Voltage: Move the red lead to the V/ slot, and
then turn the dial to 2-V DC (long line over three dashed (3) Calculate the percent difference between the
lines). Attach the red lead to the resistor/capacitor
spring closest to the + pole of the battery and the black measured and theoretical values for resistance.
lead to the spring on the other side of the
resistor/capacitor, then record the measurement. This
arrangement is called parallel. If the reading begins with
zeros, you can turn the dial to a more sensitive level. Be Part 2—Capacitors
sure to record the potential with the correct power of 10. a. Follow the instructions above to attach the 100 F
Current: Move the red lead to the mA/A slot, and capacitor and 100,000  resistor. Record the time it
then turn the dial to 1-A DC. Free the resistor wire takes to go from 0.200 V to 1.200 V. Repeat with the
nearest the + pole of the battery from its spring (leave 330F capacitor. (Discharge the capacitor by touching
the other wire in its spring). Attach the red lead to the a wire between the two sides of the capacitor.)
spring nearest the + pole of the battery. Pinch the black Capacitance, Time, t (s)
lead and free resistor wire together with your finger and C (F) Trial 1 Trial 2 Average
thumb. This arrangement is called series. If the reading 100 F
begins with zeros, you can turn the dial to a more
sensitive level. Be sure to record the current with the 330 F
correct power of 10. b. Calculate k (k = C/t) for each capacitor and the average.
Capacitance: Connect a 100,000- resistor
(brown-black-yellow) and capacitor in series (Spring—
Resistor—Spring—Capacitor—Spring). Set the c. (1) Determine the theoretical capacitance when the
multimeter to 2 V DC and connect the meter to the
two capacitors are attached in series.
springs on either side of the capacitor (not the resistor).
Connect a wire from the (–) terminal of the battery to
the capacitor spring farthest from the resistor. When
ready to time, connect a wire from the (+) terminal of (2) Place the two capacitors in series and measure the
the battery to the resistor spring farthest from the time it takes to charge the capacitors.
capacitor. Record the time it takes for the voltage to go Trial 1 Trial 2 Average
from 0.200 V to 1.200 V. Capacitance is proportional to
time (Q = It = CV  C = (I/V)t = kt). (3) Calculate the total capacitance based on the
Part 1—Resistors charging time (C = kt), use the average k from (b).
a. Measure the current and voltage for each resistor
listed below (each resistors is identified by its color
bands). Calculate the resistance. (4) Calculate the percent difference between the
Current Voltage Resistance measured and theoretical values for
Color Bands
(I) (V) (R = V/I) capacitance.
Brown-Black-Brown
Orange-Orange-
Brown d (1) Determine the theoretical capacitance when the
Green-Blue-Brown two capacitors are attached in parallel.
b. (1) Determine the theoretical resistance
when the three resistors are attached in (2) Place the two capacitors in parallel and measure the
series. time it takes to charge the capacitors.
Trial 1 Trial 2 Average

(2) Place the three resistors in series, measure current

(3) Calculate the total capacitance based on the
and voltage, and then calculate the total resistance.
charging time (C = kt) , use the average k from (b).
Resistance (R =
Current (I) Voltage (V)
V/I)
(4) Calculate the percent difference between the
(3) Calculate the percent difference between the measured and theoretical values for capacitance.
measured and theoretical values for resistance.

c. (1) Determine the theoretical resistance Practice Problems

when the three resistors are attached in A. Circuit Elements
Questions 1-7 Briefly explain your answer.
parallel. 1. Which is the correct way to light the light bulb with the
battery?

(2) Place the three resistors in parallel, measure

current and voltage, and then calculate the total
resistance.
 11. What is the internal resistance of a battery where E = 1.5 V
and the terminal voltage = 1.35 V when the current is 3 A?

12. In general, how is resistivity affected by changes in

temperature?

13. a. Determine the electrical resistance of tungsten wire

( = 5.0 x 10-8 •m, L = 20 m and A = 1.0 x 10-6 m2).

2. You double the voltage across a certain conductor and you

observe the current increases three times. What can you b. Determine the electrical resistance in the
conclude? same piece of tungsten after it is stretched to
(A) Ohm's law is obeyed since the current still increases a length of 60 m.
when V increases
(B) Ohm's law is not obeyed
(C) This has nothing to do with 14. What is the resistance in a 48- light that operates at
Ohm's law 12 V?

3. Two wires, A and B, are made of the same material and 15. What can increase the capacitance for a parallel
have equal lengths, but the resistance of wire A is four
times the resistance of wire B. How do their diameters plate capacitor?
compare?
(A) DA = 4DB (B) DA = 2DB
(C) DA = ½DB (D) DA = ¼DB 16. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two metal plates
separated by 0.006 m and is connected to a 100-V source.
The area of each plate is 0.04 m2. Determine the
4. A wire of resistance R is stretched uniformly (keeping its a. capacitance.
volume constant) until it is twice its original length. What
happens to the resistance?
(A) ¼R (B) ½R (C) 2R (D) 4R b. charge on each plate.

5. When you rotate the knob of a light dimmer, what is being c. energy stored.
changed in the electric circuit?
(A) power (B) current (C) voltage (D) both P and I
d. electric field.

6. Two light bulbs operate at 120 V, but one has a power

rating of 25 W while the other has a power rating of 100 W. 17. Show how a battery, bulb and two wires must be
Which one has the greater resistance? arranged in order for the bulb to light. Use circuit
element symbols.
(A) 25 W bulb (B)120 W bulb
(C) tie

7. Two space heaters are operated at 120 V. Heater A has

twice the resistance as heater B. Which one will give off
more heat?
(A) A (B) B (C) tie 18. A starter motor draws a current of 50 A through a cable for
5 s. Determine the number of
a. coulombs of charge which pass through the
8. Which current flows from high to low voltage, electron flow cable.
or conventional current?

9. How many electrons (qe = -1.60 x 10-19 C) pass when a b. electrons that pass through the cable.
current of 10 A runs for 25 minutes?
19. A 50-m long wire with cross section of 3 x 10-6 m2 has a
10. What is the current through a 200- resistor if the voltage resistance of 0.5 . What is the resistivity?
between its terminals is 15 V?
20. What is the resistance in a light bulb that draws 500 mA
current at 3 V.
 24. What is the same for both resistors?
(A) P (B) I (C) V (D) both P and I
21. A 10  resistor is connected to a 120 V line. Determine
a. the current through the resistor.
25. What is the voltage across the 4  resistor?
(A) 1/3V (B) 1/2 V (C) 2/3 V (D) V
b. the power dissipated in the resistor.
Questions 26-27 Current, I, enters a parallel circuit containing a
2  resistor and a 4  resistor.
22. What is the power rating of a theater light in which a 26. What is the same for both resistors?
current of 10 A is caused by 120 V? (A) P (B) I (C) V (D) both P and I

B. Series and Parallel Circuit Design 27. What is the current through the 4  resistor?
Questions 23-41 Briefly explain your answer. (A) 1/3 I (B) ½ I (C) 2/3 I (D) I
23. A 9-V battery is connected to three identical resistors in
series. What is the voltage across each resistor?
(A) 3 V (B) 9 V (C) 18 V (D) 27 V Questions 28-29 Two light bulbs (resistors) are in series, with a
wire and switch connected parallel to one of the bulbs. How
does the brightness of the bulb when the switch is open
Questions 24-25 A battery of voltage V is connected to a 4  compare to its brightness when the switch is closed?
and 2  resistor in series.
A B
28. Bulb A?
(A) dimmer (B) same (C)
brighter (D) no light

29. Bulb B?
(A) dimmer (B) same (C)
brighter (D) no light

Questions 30-31 Two light bulbs are in series with a 12-V battery.
30. What happens to the total brightness when one light bulb is
removed?
(A) dimmer (B) same (C)
brighter (D) no light

31. What happens to the total brightness when one light bulb is
replaced by a wire?
(A) dimmer (B) same (C)
brighter (D) no light

Questions 32-33 Two light bulbs are parallel with a 12-V battery.
32. What happens to the total brightness when one light bulb is
removed?
(A) dimmer (B) same (C)
brighter (D) no light

33. What happens to the total brightness when one light bulb is
replaced by a wire?
(A) dimmer (B) same (C)
brighter (D) no light

Questions 34-36 The three light bulbs have the same resistance.
 C d. Two light bulbs arranged in (series or parallel) will
A B generate the most light.
34. The current through bulb C compared to bulb A is 43. 3  and 6  resistors in series connected to 6 V.
(A) ¼ (B) ½ (C) 2 (D) 4 Total R

Total I
35. The voltage drop across bulb C compared to bulb A is
Total P
(A) ¼ (B) ½ (C) 2 (D) 4
V for 3

V for 6
36. How much brighter is bulb C compared to A? 
(A) ¼ (B) ½ (C) 2 (D) 4 P for 3

P for 6
Identical light bulbs are
Questions 37-39 
44. 3  and 6  resistors in parallel connected to 6 V.
arranged in the circuit.
A C D Total R

B E Total I

37. What is the correct order from Total P

greatest (1) to least (5) current?
I for 3 
IA IB IC ID IE
(A 1 1 3 3 3 I for 6 
)
(B 2 2 4 4 1 P for 3 
)
(C 4 4 2 2 1 P for 6 
)
(D 2 2 1 1 4 45. Given R1 = 6 , R2 = 12 , and R3 = 2  are arranged in
) the following circuit. Determine the
R1
R3
38. Which generates the most light?
12 V R2
(A) A + B (B) C + D (C) E (D) C+D+
E a. total resistance.

39. Which has the smallest voltage drop? b. total current leaving the battery.
(A) A (B) C (C) E

c. voltage drop across R3.

40. Two capacitors are in series with a 12-V battery. What
happens to the total capacitance when one capacitor is
replaced by a wire?
d. voltage, current and power for each resistor.
(A) decrease (B) same V I P
(C) increase
R1

41. Two capacitors are in parallel a 12-V battery. What R2

happens to the total capacitance when one capacitor is
replaced by a wire? R3
(A) decrease (B) same e. Show that the power dissipated in the
(C) increase resistors equals the power generated by the
battery?
42. Highlight the correct option for the following sentences.
a. (Current or Voltage) is the same for resistor in series.
b. (Current or Voltage) is the same for resistors in parallel. 46. Highlight the correct option for the following sentences.
c. You can disconnect one device without stopping the a. Capacitor (Charge or Voltage) is the same in series.
current in a (series or parallel) circuit. b. Capacitor (Charge or Voltage) is the same in parallel.
47. 3 F and 6 F capacitors in series connected to 6 V. 51. Three 12 resistors can be connected in four different
ways. Determine overall resistance of each
Ctot
combination?
Qtot

UC-tot

V3
52. Determine the equivalent resistance when three resistors
V6
rated at 2 , 4 , and 6  are connected in
UC-3 series
paralle
UC-6
l
48. 3 F and 6 F capacitors in parallel connected to 6 V. 53. A 100-W, 120-V lamp bulb is connected in
Ctot parallel with a 60-W, 120-V lamp bulb. What is
their combined resistance?
Qtot

UC-tot

Q3
54. Consider the following circuit.
Q6 5

UC-3 90V 6 12 
1
UC-6
a. Determine the
49. Three capacitors, C1 = 10 F, C2 = 20 F, C3 = 30 F,
Rtot
are arranged as shown below. Determine the
C1 Itot
C3
120 V C2
b. Determine current, voltage and power for each
resistor.
a. total capacitance. (15 F) Resisto
I V P
r
1
b. total charge stored on C3.
5

c. voltage across C3. 12 

6
d. voltage, charge and potential energy for each 55. Consider the following circuit
capacitor. 15  ⁄switch
V Q UC
50V 6F 10 
C1
a. When the switch is open, determine
C2 (1) charge on the 6 F capacitor.

C3
50. Show where a voltmeter (V) and ammeter (A) would be placed (2) energy stored in the 6 F capacitor.
in order to measure volts and amps in the resistor.

(A/V)
b. When the switch is closed, determine
(A/V) (1) Voltage across the capacitor.

(2) charge on the 6 F capacitor.

 5. Two 4.0- resistors are connected to a I6-V battery.

(3) energy stored in the 6 F capacitor.

Practice Multiple Choice

Briefly explain why the answer is correct in the space provided.
Questions 1-2 The four resistors have the lengths, L, and The power generated in the circuit is
cross-sectional areas, A, indicated and are made of (A) 8 W (B) 16 W (C) 32 W (D) 64 W
material with the same resistivity.
(A) L = 1 m, A = 1 m2 (B) L = 2 m, A = 1 m2
2
(C) L = 1 m, A = 2 m (D) L = 2 m, A = 2 m2 Questions 6-7 relate to the four incomplete circuits below
1. Which resistor has the least resistance? composed of resistors R, all of equal resistance, and
capacitors C, all of equal capacitance. A battery that can
be used to complete any of the circuits is available.
R R C R
2. Which has the greatest resistance? (A) (B)

3. An electric circuit contains a variable resistor connected to d

.

a battery. Which graph best represents the relationship (C) C

d
.

(D) R
between current and resistance in this circuit?
(A) (B) (C) (D) R R R

6. Into which circuit should the battery be

connected to obtain the greatest steady power
dissipation?

4. A circuit consists of a 10- resistor, a 15- resistor, and a

7. Which circuit will retain stored energy if the
20- resistor connected in parallel across a 9-V battery.
What is the equivalent resistance of this circuit? battery is connected to it and then disconnected?
(A) 0.2  (B) 2  (C) 4.6  (D) 45 

8. A battery with an internal resistance of 4  connected to a

l6- and a 20- resistor in series. The current in the 20-
resistor is 0.3 A.

What is the emf, E, of the battery?

(A) 1.2 V (B) 6.0 V (C) 10.8 V (D) 12 V

9. A lamp, a voltmeter V, an ammeter A, and a battery with

zero internal resistance are connected as shown.

How would the addition of a second lamp affect the

ammeter and voltmeter readings?
A V A V
(A) increase same (B) decrease decrease
(C) same increase (D) decrease decrease
Questions 10-12 refer to the circuit shown below.

10. The equivalent capacitance for this network is

(A) 10/7 F (B) 3/2 F (C) 7/3 F (D) 7 F

11. The charge stored in the 5-F capacitor is

(A) 360 C (B) 500 C (C) 710 C (D) 1,100 C

12. The electrical energy stored in the 5-F capacitor is

(A) 0.025 J (B) 0.050 J (C) 2.5 J (D) 500 J

Questions 13-14 refer to partial electric circuit.

13. The electrical resistance between point X and point Y is

(A) 4/3  (B) 2  (C) 11/4  (D) 4 

14. The current is

(A) the same everywhere in the circuit
(B) greater at point X than at point Y
(C) greater in the 1  resistor than in the 2  resistor
(D) greater in the 2  resistor than in the 3  resistor

15. A 10- heater is used to heat water. If the heater draws 3

A for 100 s, how much energy is transferred to the water?
(A) 30 (B) 300 (C) 3,000 (D) 9,000

Questions 16-18 The circuit consisting of four resistors and a

12-V battery.

16. What is the current measured by the ammeter?

(A) 0.5 A (B) 2 A (C) 72 A (D) 4 A

17. What is the equivalent resistance of this circuit?

(A) 72  (B) 3  (C) 18  (D) 0.33 

18. How much power is dissipated in the 36- resistor?

(A) 110 W (B) 3 W (C) 48 W (D) 4 W
19. What is the voltage between points X and Y?

(A) 1 V (B) 2 V (C) 3 V (D) 4V

20. What is the value of r?

(A) 0  (B) 1  (C) 5  (D) 20 

Questions 21-22 refer to the circuit shown below.

21. What is the current I1?

(A) 0.8 mA (B) 1.0 mA (C) 2.0 mA (D) 3.0 mA

22. How do the currents I1, I2, and I3 compare?

(A) I1 > I2 > I3 (B) I1 > I3 > I2
(C) I2 > I1 > I3 (D) I3 > I1 > I2

23. What percentage of the power generated by a 0.5 A, 120 V

electric motor is used to lift a 9 kg mass against gravity at
an average velocity of 0.5 m/s?
(A) 7% (B) 13% (C) 25% (D) 75%

24. A wire of length L and radius r has a resistance R. What is

the resistance of a second wire made from the same
material that has a length ½L and a radius ½r?
(A) 4R (B) 2R (C) R (D) ½R
 Practice Free Response C2 15 F
1. Consider the following circuit.
C3 20 F
C1 C2
 R3 R4
R2
R1 R5

9V R6
C3

a. Determine the following values.

R3 + R 4

R3-4 + R5

Rtot

Itot

V5

I5

I3

C1 + C 2

Q1+2

V1

V2

Q3
b. Complete the table for each resistor and capacitor.
Resistor R I V P
Overall

R1 1
R2 3
R3 3
R4 3
R5 3
R6 3
Capacito
C Q V Uc
r
C1 30 F