AP Physics 1 : Ohm's Law

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Ohm's Law

Consider the circuit:

 

Circuit_4

If each resistor has a value of \(\displaystyle 2\Omega\), how much current is flowing through the circuit?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 24A\)

\(\displaystyle 6A\)

\(\displaystyle 12A\)

\(\displaystyle 3A\)

\(\displaystyle 48A\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 24A\)

Explanation:

First we need to calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit using the following expression for condensing parallel resistors:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{R_{eq}}=\sum\frac{1}{R} = \frac{1}{2\Omega}+\frac{1}{2\Omega}+\frac{1}{2\Omega}+\frac{1}{2\Omega}\)

\(\displaystyle R_{eq}=0.5\Omega\)

Now we can use Ohm's law to calculate the current flowing through the circuit:

\(\displaystyle V = IR\)

\(\displaystyle I = \frac{V}{R}=\frac{12V}{0.5\Omega} = 24A\)

Example Question #1 : Circuits

A light bulb requires 60 W to function properly. If it is connected to a powersupply of 120 A and functions properly, then what is the resitance of the light bulb?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 7m\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 0.5\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 1\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 1m\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 4m\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4m\Omega\)

Explanation:

First, identify the given information:

\(\displaystyle P=60W\)

\(\displaystyle I=120A\)

Two equations are required for this problem:

1.) Ohm's law, \(\displaystyle V=IR\)

2.) Electrical power \(\displaystyle P=IV\)

Using the equation for electrical power, we can rearrange to solve for \(\displaystyle V\):

\(\displaystyle P=IV\)

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{P}{I}\)

At this point, we can substitute in the known values and determine the voltage:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{60W}{120A}=0.5V\)

Ohm's law can then be rearranged to solve for the resistence of the light bulb:

\(\displaystyle V=IR\)

\(\displaystyle R=\frac{V}{I}\)

The known voltage value then can be substituted into Ohm's law to determine the resistance of the light bulb:

\(\displaystyle R=\frac{0.5V}{120A}=0.00416\Omega\approx 4m\Omega\)

Example Question #1261 : Ap Physics 1

What is the resistance of a resistor if the current going through it is \(\displaystyle 2A\) and the voltage across it it is \(\displaystyle 10V\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 20\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 12\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 0.2\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 5\Omega\)

Explanation:

Use Ohm's law.

\(\displaystyle V=IR\)

Plug in known values and solve for resistance.

\(\displaystyle R=\frac{10V}{2A}=5\Omega\)

Example Question #1 : Circuits

What is the voltage across a resistor with a resistance of \(\displaystyle 10\Omega\) that has a current of \(\displaystyle 20A\) going through it?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30V\)

\(\displaystyle 20V\)

\(\displaystyle 2V\)

\(\displaystyle 200V\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 200V\)

Explanation:

Use Ohm's Law.

\(\displaystyle V=IR\)

\(\displaystyle V=20A\cdot10\Omega =200V\)

Example Question #1 : Ohm's Law

What is the current through a resistor if the resistor has a resistance of \(\displaystyle 40\Omega\) and the voltage across the resistor is \(\displaystyle 60V\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 46A\)

\(\displaystyle 2A\)

\(\displaystyle 24A\)

\(\displaystyle 1.5A\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.5A\)

Explanation:

Use Ohm's law.

\(\displaystyle V=IR\)

\(\displaystyle I=\frac{60V}{40\Omega}=1.5A\)

Example Question #1 : Circuits

If the current through a \(\displaystyle 10\Omega\) resistor is \(\displaystyle 6A\), what is the voltage across the resistor?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10V\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{3}V\)

\(\displaystyle 60V\)

\(\displaystyle 6V\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 60V\)

Explanation:

UseOhm's law.

\(\displaystyle V=IR\)

Plug in known values and solve.

\(\displaystyle V=6A\cdot 10\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle V=60V\)

Example Question #7 : Circuits

Basic circuit

\(\displaystyle V_{in}=12V\)

 \(\displaystyle I=2 A\)

The voltage measured from a point between \(\displaystyle Z_1\) and \(\displaystyle Z_2\) to the ground is \(\displaystyle 8V\)

What is the resistance of \(\displaystyle Z_1\) ?

 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 12\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 1\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 3\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 2\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2\Omega\)

Explanation:

Begin by finding the total resistance in the circuit.

\(\displaystyle R_{tot}=\frac{V}{I}=\frac{12V}{2A}=6\Omega\)

Now note that the voltage identified in the problem is the same as the voltage drop across the second resistor:

\(\displaystyle IZ_2=V_D\)

\(\displaystyle Z_2=\frac{V_D}{I}=\frac{8V}{2A}\)

\(\displaystyle Z_2=4\Omega\)

Now, since \(\displaystyle Z_1\) and \(\displaystyle Z_2\) combine to form the total resistance:

\(\displaystyle Z_1=Z-Z_2=6\Omega -4\Omega=2\Omega\)

Example Question #1 : Circuits

Basic circuit

\(\displaystyle V_{in}=12V\)

\(\displaystyle I=2 A\), and the voltage measured from a point between \(\displaystyle Z_1\) and \(\displaystyle Z_2\) to the ground is \(\displaystyle 8V\) 

In the circuit above, what is the resistance of \(\displaystyle Z_2\)?

 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 1\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 4\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 12\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 6\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4\Omega\)

Explanation:

Begin by finding the total resistance in the circuit.

\(\displaystyle R_{tot}=\frac{V}{I}=\frac{12V}{2A}=6\Omega\)

Now note that the voltage identified in the problem is the same as the voltage drop across the second resistor:

\(\displaystyle IZ_2=V_D\)

\(\displaystyle Z_2=\frac{V_D}{I}=\frac{8V}{2A}\)

\(\displaystyle Z_2=4\Omega\)

Example Question #9 : Circuits

Basic circuit

\(\displaystyle V_{in}=12V\)

\(\displaystyle Z_1\) is composted of two resistors in parallel, \(\displaystyle 3\Omega\) and \(\displaystyle 7\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle Z_2\) is a single \(\displaystyle 6\Omega\) resistor.

In the circuit above, what is the current?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1.50 A\)

\(\displaystyle 2.96A\)

\(\displaystyle 0.75 A\)

\(\displaystyle 1.20A\)

\(\displaystyle 1.48A\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.48A\)

Explanation:

To find the current, first find the total resistance of the circuit. Begin by simplifying \(\displaystyle Z_1\), the two resistors in parallel as follows:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{Z_1}=\frac{1}{3\Omega}+\frac{1}{7\Omega}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{Z_1}=\frac{10}{21\Omega}\)

\(\displaystyle Z_1=2.1\Omega\)

Since \(\displaystyle Z_1\) and \(\displaystyle Z_2\) are in series, their combined resistance is:

\(\displaystyle R_{tot}=Z_1+Z_2=2.1\Omega+6\Omega=8.1\Omega\)

Use Ohm's law to find the current.

\(\displaystyle I=\frac{V}{R}\)

\(\displaystyle I=\frac{12V}{8.1\Omega}\)

\(\displaystyle I=1.48A\)

Example Question #1 : Circuits

A resistor with a resistance of \(\displaystyle 4 \Omega\) has a current flowing through it of 5A. What is the potential drop across the resistor?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10V\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{2}V\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}V\)

\(\displaystyle 20 V\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 20 V\)

Explanation:

Ohm's law states that the potential drop across a resistor is equal to the product of the current flowing through the resistor and the resistance of the resistor:

\(\displaystyle V=IR\)

We were given the current, I, and the resistance, R, so we simply multiply the two together to get our final answer. 

\(\displaystyle V=5*4=20V\)

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