AP Physics 2 : Circuits

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 2

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Example Questions

Example Question #295 : Electricity And Magnetism

A dielectric is put between the plates of an isolated charged parallel plate capacitor. Which of the following statements is true?

Possible Answers:

The capacitance decreases

The potential difference decreases

The potential difference increases

The charge on the plates decreases

The charge on the plates increases

Correct answer:

The potential difference decreases

Explanation:

When a dielectric is added to a capacitor, the capacitance increases. In our problem, it says the system is charged and isolated, which means no charge will escape the system. Therefore the charge on the plates will stay the same.

The equation for capacitance is:

 

Since the charge stays the same, and the capacitance increases, the potential difference must decrease so that  may increase.

Example Question #6 : Properties Of Capacitors And Dielectrics

Suppose I have a uniform electric field within a parallel plate capacitor.

Suppose the capacitor's plates are  in length and  in width, and the space between the plates is 

Given that the capacitance is , at what voltage difference is required for the capacitor to store  of charge? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To determine this, we can use the formula:

Where  is charge stored,  is voltage difference across a capacitor, and  is capacitance. 

Solving for ,

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Electric Fields

 parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a constant voltage source. If the distance between the plates of this capacitor is  and the capacitor holds a charge of , what is the value of the electric field between the plates of this capacitor?

Possible Answers:

An electric field does not exist between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve this problem, we first need to solve for the voltage across the capacitor. For this, we'll need the formula for capacitance:

Solving for the voltage:

Now that we have the voltage, we can make use of the following equation to solve for the electric field:

Example Question #2 : Capacitors And Electric Fields

A set of parallel plate capacitors with a surface area of  has a total amount of charge equal to . What is the electric field between the plates?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the electric field between two parallel plate capacitors is:

Sigma is the charge density of the plates, which is equal to:

We are given the area and total charge, so we use them to find the charge density.

Now that we have the charge density, divide it by the vacuum permittivity to find the electric field.

Example Question #2 : Capacitors And Electric Fields

Imagine a capacitor with a magnitude of charge Q on either plate. This capacitor has area A, separation distance D, and is not connected to a battery of voltage V. If some external agent pulls the capacitor apart such that D doubles, did the electric field, E, stored in the capacitor increase, decrease or stay the same?

Possible Answers:

Increases

Stays constant

Decreases

We need to know

Correct answer:

Stays constant

Explanation:

Relevant equations:

 

Considering we are dealing with regions of charge instead of a point charge (or a charge that is at least spherical symmetric), it would be wise to consider using the definition of the electric field here:

We are only considering magnitude so the direction of the electric field is not of concern. Considering a battery is not connected, we can't claim the V is constant. So we use the second equation to substitute for V in the above equation:

Substitute C from the first equation:

We see here that D actually cancels. This would not have been obvious without the previous substitution. Final result:

These 3 quantities are static in this situation so E does not change.

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Electric Fields

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 electric field, E, stored in the capacitor increase, decrease or stay the same?

Possible Answers:

Increases by exactly 

Decreases by exactly 

Stays constant

Decreases by exactly 

Correct answer:

Decreases by exactly 

Explanation:

Relevant equations:

 

Considering we are dealing with regions of charge instead of a point charge (or a charge that is at least spherical symmetric), it would be wise to consider using the definition of the electric field here:

The battery maintains a constant V so we can directly relate E and D. Since D is doubled, E will be halved. 

Example Question #5 : Capacitors And Electric Fields

Lazy capacitor

If , each plate of the capacitor has surface area , and the plates are  apart, determine the electric field between the plates.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The voltage rise through the source must be the same as the drop through the capacitor.

The voltage drop across the capacitor is the equal to the electric field multiplied by the distance.

Combine these equations and solve for the electric field:

Convert mm to m and plug in values:

Example Question #951 : Ap Physics 2

Lazy capacitor

If , each plate of the capacitor has surface area , and the plates are  apart, determine the excess charge on the positive plate.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The voltage rise through the source must be the same as the drop through the capacitor.

The voltage drop across the capacitor is the equal to the electric field multiplied by the distance.

Combine equations and solve for the electric field:

Convert mm to m and plugging in values:

Use the electric field in a capacitor equation:

Combine equations:

Converting  to  and plug in values:

Example Question #31 : Circuit Components

Lazy capacitor

Consider the given diagram. If , each plate of the capacitor has surface area , and the plates at  apart, determine the electric field between the plates.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The voltage rise through the source must be the same as the drop through the capacitor.

The voltage drop across the capacitor is the equal to the electric field multiplied by the distance.

Combine equations and solve for the electric field:

Convert mm to m and plug in values:

Example Question #1 : Capacitors And Electric Fields

Lazy capacitor

In the given circuit, the capacitor is made of two parallel circular plates of radius that are apart. If is equal to , determine the electric field between the plates.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since it is the only element in the circuit besides the source, the voltage drop across the capacitor must be equal to the voltage gain in the capacitor.

Definition of voltage:

Combine equations:

Solve for

Convert to meters and plug in values:

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