Unit 1 Progress Check MCQ

AP PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM Scoring Guide
Unit 1 Progress Check: MCQ
Three identical point charges form an equilateral triangle with sides of length , as shown. The magnitude of the net
force acting on each point charge is , and the potential energy of the system of charges is . One of the three point
charges is then replaced by one with a charge .
1. If and , what is the magnitude of the net force on the point charge?
(A) Zero
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
2. Which of the following a correct expression for the potential energy of the system of three point charges in
?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E) Zero
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Page 1 of 32

Scoring Guide
Two point charges with charges and are separated by distance . Several equipotential lines near the point
charges and labeled points , , , and are shown in the figure.
3. Which of the following correctly ranks the magnitudes of the electric field at the four labeled points from largest to
smallest?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Page 2 of 32 AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

Scoring Guide
4.
A third point charges of charge is brought in from a large distance away and placed a distance from each of
the two original point charges, as shown above. Which of the following expressions is correct for the change of
electric potential energy from the two-point charges system to the three-point charges system?
(A) The electric potential energy is decreased by .
(B) The electric potential energy is decreased by .
(C) The electric potential energy is increased by .
(D) The electric potential energy is increased by .
(E) The electric potential energy is increased by .
5.
Two point charges are held at rest on the -axis of a coordinate system as shown above. The first point charge is
located at and has a charge of μ . The second point charge is located at
and has a charge of μ . Where must a third point charge with charge μ be placed so
that the net force on it is zero?

Scoring Guide
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
6.
Three point charges, each with charge of magnitude , are arranged in a line as shown. If the net force
on the middle charge is , what is the approximate value of ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
7. Point charges 1 and 2 have charges and and are held apart. The point charges exert an attractive
force of on each other. Which of the following are possible values for the charges?
(A) and
(B) and
(C) and
(D) and
(E) and

Scoring Guide
8.
In an experiment, a group of students measured the equipotential surfaces in a plane containing two objects, each
having a charge of or . They then used these equipotential surfaces to construct electric field lines of force in
the plane containing the objects, as shown in the figure. Which of the following pairs of charged objects that could
produce the electric field vectors shown?

Scoring Guide
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Scoring Guide
(E)
9.
A sphere with charge is placed on the -axis at position , as shown. Which of the following graphs
best represents the -component of the electric field due to the charge as a function of position ?

Scoring Guide
(A)
(B)

Scoring Guide
(C)
(D)

Scoring Guide
(E)

Scoring Guide
10.
The figures shown represent the electric fields near four different objects. Figure represents two positive point
charges, figure represents two oppositely charged plates, figure represents a negatively charged ring, and
figure represents a positively charged disk. Which figure, if any, has an error in its representation of the direction
of the electric field?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E) None of the figures have an error. They all demonstrate the proper direction of electric fields.

Scoring Guide
11.
An isolated, nonconducting sphere is positioned on the -axis between positions and , as shown. The sphere
has charge uniformly distributed throughout its volume. Which of the following pairs of graphs could represent
the magnitude of the electric field and the electric potential as functions of ?

Scoring Guide
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
12.
Two particles of mass with charges and are connected to opposite ends of a nonconducting rod of length
. The particle-rod system is held at rest in a uniform electric field of magnitude , directed to the right, with the
rod at an angle with the field, as shown. Assume the force of gravity is negligible. Which of the following best
describes the motion of the center of mass of the particle-rod system, and its oscillation, if it is released from rest?
The center of mass will remain at rest. The system will rotate counterclockwise first, then clockwise, as
(A)
it oscillates.
The center of mass will remain at rest. The system will rotate clockwise first, then counterclockwise, as
(B)
it oscillates.
The center of mass will accelerate at to the right. The system will rotate counterclockwise first, then
(C)
clockwise, as it oscillates.
The center of mass will accelerate at to the right. The system will rotate clockwise first, then
(D)
counterclockwise, as it oscillates.
The center of mass of the system will move to the right with constant speed. The system will rotate
(E)
counterclockwise first, then clockwise, as it oscillates.
13. A sphere of mass and charge μ is released from rest near the surface of Earth in a region where there
is a uniform horizontal electric field of magnitude . The magnitude of the initial acceleration of the sphere is
most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
14. A charged sphere of radius is isolated in the center of a large room. The sphere carries a charge of μ .
The magnitudes of the electric field at the surface of the sphere and at a distance of away from the surface of
the sphere are most nearly

Scoring Guide
Electric Field at Surface Electric Field from Surface

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

Scoring Guide
15.
Three point charges are arranged at the corners of a square with sides of length . At point at the center of the
square, the net electric field vector points to the right, as shown. If the charge , and
, then the charge must be equal to
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
16.
The figure shows the electric potential along the -axis in a region of space. Which of the following graphs best
represents the electric field along the -axis in the same region of space?

Scoring Guide
(A)
(B)

Scoring Guide
(C)
(D)

Scoring Guide
(E)
17.
An electron is placed at point in a uniform electric field of magnitude directed to the right, as shown above. A
short time later, the electron is at point . Which of the following statements describes the relationship between the
electric field and the motion of the electron?
The electron experiences a force of magnitude at point , which accelerates the electron in the
(A)
direction of the electric field.
The electric potential energy of the electron-field system at point is converted into kinetic energy,
(B)
causing the electron to move along the field lines.
The electron moves through the electric field from a higher electric potential at point to a lower
(C)
electric potential at point .
The electron is accelerated by the electric field in a direction perpendicular to the field lines, causing it
(D)
to move from point to point .
A force not associated with the electric field moves the electron from point to point . The electric
(E)
field does negative work on the electron in the process.

Scoring Guide
18.
Point charges , , and are positioned at the three corners of a square and have the charges shown in the figure.
The sides of the square have a length . The electric potential at the empty corner of the square is
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
19.
A particle of charge is at point , a distance from the center of a sphere of charge . The particle is
moved to point , a distance from the center of the sphere. Which of the following expressions represents the
electric potential difference between the two points due to the charge on the sphere?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
20.
If the expression for the electric potential due to a small sphere of charge at point that is a distance from
the center of a small sphere is , then the electric potential at a point that is a distance from the center of
the small sphere is
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
21.
Small sphere of mass and charge is released from rest at the position shown in an
electric field of magnitude that is directed horizontally to the right, as shown above. Points
and are both from the original position of the sphere. Which of the following indicates the point the sphere
moves toward and the speed of the sphere when it reaches that point?
(A) Point with speed
(B) Point with speed
(C) Point with speed
(D) Point with speed
(E) Point with speed

Scoring Guide
22.
Three point charges are arranged as shown above. A charge is a distance vertically above a charge .
Another charge is a distance to the right of the charge. The value of μ , and the value of
. The electric potential energy of this arrangement of charges is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
23. A small sphere of mass and charge of μ is traveling in an electric field. The sphere has a speed of
at point , where the electric potential is . What will the speed of the sphere be at point , where
the electric potential is ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
24. The electric potential in a region of space is given as a function of positions by the equation ,
where is in volts and is in meters. The magnitude of the electric field at the point is equal to
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
25.
Charged spheres and are near each other and isolated from all other charges. Three Gaussian surfaces are
shown in the region surrounding the spheres: surface 1 around sphere , surface 2 around sphere , and surface 3
around both spheres. The net flux through surface 2 has twice the magnitude as the net flux through surface 1. The
net flux through surface 3 has a magnitude equal to the net flux through surface 1. Which of the following are
possible values of the charges and , the charges on spheres and , respectively?
(A) and
(B) and
(C) and
(D) and
(E) and
26. A thin, nonconducting rod of length is positioned on the x-axis with its left end at . The rod is charged and
has a linear charge density of . Which of the following represents the total charge on the rod?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
27. A solid, nonconducting sphere of radius has a uniform charge distribution throughout its volume. The electric
field at a point a distance from the center of the sphere is , where . Which of the following is a
correct illustrates a correct use of Gauss's law to determine the electric field at point where ?
(A) Zero
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
28.
The figure shows a uniform line of positive charge of magnitude and length . The equation for the
electric field a distance along the perpendicular bisector from the line of length is . Point
is from the line of charge and is positioned along a perpendicular bisector of the line. Point is also
along the bisector and is from the line. The potential difference between points and is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
29.
Three identical charges of magnitude are placed on the corners of a square with sides of length
. What is the electric potential due to these charges at a point on the fourth corner of the square?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Scoring Guide
30.
A solid nonconducting sphere is inside a solid nonconducting spherical shell, as shown in the figure. A total charge
is evenly distributed throughout the sphere and is also evenly distributed throughout the shell. Which of the
following statements is a correct claim about the electric field at point between the sphere and shell and has a
valid supporting statement?
The electric field points to the left, because the electric field from sphere is zero and the electric field
(A)
from the shell is directed to the left.
The electric field points to the left, because a Gaussian sphere concentric with the sphere on its
(B)
surface only encloses the charge on the inner sphere.
The electric field points to the right, because the electric field from the shell has a larger magnitude that
(C)
the electric field from the sphere.
The electric field is zero, because a Gaussian sphere concentric with the sphere with on its surface
(D)
encloses zero net charge.
(E) The electric field is zero, because point is inside a nonconducting shell.
31. A ring with charge uniformly distributed on it is centered at the origin of the coordinate system. The ring lies
in the -plane. Which claim below best characterizes the electric field along the -axis?

Scoring Guide
Since the charge is uniformly distributed around the ring, it can be assumed that the electric field is also
(A) distributed uniformly around the ring. This means the electric field is constantly changing direction
along the ring’s central axis.
Since the charge is positive, the electric field points toward the ring. The magnitude of the electric field
(B) is smallest at the center of the ring and continually increases in magnitude as the position along the
central axis is farther away from the ring.
Since the charge is positive, the electric field points away from the ring. The magnitude of the electric
(C) field is greatest at the center of the ring and continually decreases in magnitude as the position along the
central axis is farther away from the ring.
Components of the electric field perpendicular to the central axis cancel out, and there is only a
(D) component along the central axis. This component is always directed toward the center of the ring,
except for the point at the center of the ring where the electric field is zero.
Components of the electric field perpendicular to the central axis cancel out, and there is only a
(E) component along the central axis. This component is always directed away from the center of the ring,
except for the point at the center of the ring where the electric field is zero.
32.
An electron is moving in the direction shown above and is accelerating toward the disk, which has an electric
charge. Which of the following makes a correct claim about the electric field produced by the disk and gives
evidence to support this claim?

Scoring Guide
(A) The electric field is to the left, because the electron accelerates to the left.
(B) The electric field is to the right, because the electron accelerates to the left.
The electric field is toward the top of the page, because the electron was originally moving toward the
(C)
top of the page.
The electric field is toward the bottom of the page, because the electron was originally moving toward
(D)
the top of the page.
(E) The direction of the electric field cannot be determined without knowing the speed of the electron.
33.
A ring with charge uniformly distributed around its circumference is centered on the axis of the -coordinate
plane, as shown. Which of the following best describes the direction of the electric field at point due to the ring,
and provides correct reasoning to support this direction?
In the -direction , because contributions from all parts of the ring produce a -component, with
(A)
and components canceling out
In the -direction, because contributions from all parts of the ring produce a -component, with
(B)
and components canceling out
In the -direction, because contributions from all parts of the ring produce a -component, with
(C)
and -components canceling out
In no direction; there is no electric field at , because all components of the field cancel everywhere
(D)
along the -axis
In no direction, there is no electric field at , because radial symmetry dictates that the electric field is
(E)
completely contained within the -plane

Scoring Guide
34. The four nonconducting rods shown below all have a uniform charge distribution of either or on their top
and bottom halves. A student claims that two of the rods produce a net electric field at labeled point that is
directed toward the top of the page. Is the student correct, and if so, which two diagrams support the claim?
(A) Yes, figures and support the claim.

(B) Yes, figures and support the claim.
(C) Yes, figures and support the claim.
(D) Yes, figures and support the claim.
(E) No, there are no two figures that support the claim.
35.
A semicircular wire has a uniform positive linear charge density , where is the total charge of the
wire, is the length of the wire, and is the radius of the semicircle. Which of the following claims about the
electric field at point is correct and gives supporting evidence?

Scoring Guide
It is equal to zero because both the horizontal and vertical components of the electric field due to
(A)
elements of charge on opposite sides of the semicircle cancel each other.
It is equal to the equation for a point charge, , because all the charges on the wire are a distance
(B)
away from point .
It is directed vertically upward because the charge is positive, and horizontal components of the electric
(C)
field contributed from elements of charge on opposite sides of the semicircle cancel each other.
It is directed vertically downward because the charge is positive, and horizontal components of the
(D)
electric field contributed from elements of charge on opposite sides of the semicircle cancel each other.
It is directed vertically downward because some of the vertical components of the electric field point
(E)
upward, but more of the components point downward; thus, the net electric field is downward.

Unit 1 Progress Check MCQ

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AP PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM Scoring Guide

Unit 1 Progress Check: MCQ

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Page 1 of 32

Unit 1 Progress Check: MCQ

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(D) The electric potential energy is increased by .

(E) The electric potential energy is increased by .

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Electric Field at Surface Electric Field from Surface

Electric Field at Surface Electric Field from Surface

Electric Field at Surface Electric Field from Surface

Electric Field at Surface Electric Field from Surface

Electric Field at Surface Electric Field from Surface

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(D) Point with speed

(E) Point with speed

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