College Physics : Circuits

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for College Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : College Physics

You are given three resistors with known values:

\(\displaystyle R1=100\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle R2=50\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle R3=10\Omega\)

You are asked to create a circuit with a total resistance of between \(\displaystyle 40\Omega\) and \(\displaystyle 45\Omega\). How should you arrange the resistors to accomplish this?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel; \(\displaystyle R2\) is not necessary

\(\displaystyle R1\), \(\displaystyle R2\), and \(\displaystyle R3\) in series

\(\displaystyle R1\), \(\displaystyle R2\), and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel

\(\displaystyle R2\) and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel, connected to \(\displaystyle R1\) in series

\(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R2\) in parallel, connected to \(\displaystyle R3\) in series

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R2\) in parallel, connected to \(\displaystyle R3\) in series

Explanation:

This question requires no math to correctly answer! You should not need to 'brute force' it. Although it is designed to appear time consuming, it should be relatively easily once the principle of resistors in parallel is understood. Whenever two resistors are connected in parallel, the net resistance must be less than the resistance of either of the two alone. When resistors are connected in series, the net resistance must be more than the resistance of either alone.

Explanation of correct answer:

\(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R2\) in parallel, connected to \(\displaystyle R3\) in series - It is possible to 'eyeball' this to see that this is at least feasible. \(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R2\) in parallel must make a network with an overall resistance less than \(\displaystyle 50\Omega\). When added in series with \(\displaystyle R3\) (\(\displaystyle 10\Omega\)), the overall may fall between \(\displaystyle 40\Omega\) and \(\displaystyle 45\Omega\). To confirm, one could do the math to calculate the overall resistance, but the point of this question is to use general principles to quickly eliminate the other, incorrect answer choices.

Explanations of incorrect answers:

\(\displaystyle R1\), \(\displaystyle R2\), and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel - This combination cannot possibly work since the overall resistance must be less than \(\displaystyle 10\Omega\) (the smallest resistor in parallel).

\(\displaystyle R2\) and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel, connected to \(\displaystyle R1\) in series - Regardless of the overall resistance of \(\displaystyle R2\) and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel, the connection with \(\displaystyle R1\) in series makes the total resistance more than \(\displaystyle 100\Omega\).

\(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel; \(\displaystyle R2\) is not necessary - Placing \(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R3\) in parallel must result in a resistance less than \(\displaystyle 10\Omega\).

\(\displaystyle R1\), \(\displaystyle R2\), and \(\displaystyle R3\) in series - Connecting resistors in series results in an overall resistance greater than that of any one alone. Since \(\displaystyle R1\) and \(\displaystyle R2\) are included in series, the sum of the resistances is obviously much greater than what we are asked to produce and this choice can be immediately eliminated.

Example Question #21 : Electromagnetics, Waves, And Optics

Which of the following expressions gives the capacitance for a capacitor in a circuit in which the only factors known are a) the current through the circuit, b) the resistance of the circuit, and c) the charge that has accumulated on the capacitor?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{iQ}{R}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q}{iR}\)

\(\displaystyle iQR\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{R}{iQ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q}{iR}\)

Explanation:

In this question, we're given a number of parameters of a circuit and are asked to find how we can use these various parameters to show the capacitance of the circuit's capacitor.

First, recall what a capacitor is; something that stores charge for a given voltage difference. In other words, when there is a voltage difference between the two plates of a capacitor, a certain amount of charge can be stored on these plates. The more charge that can be stored for a given voltage difference, the greater that capacitor's capacitance. This can be shown by the following equation.

\(\displaystyle C=\frac{Q}{V}\)

From the above expression, \(\displaystyle C\) is the capacitance which we are trying to find a proper expression for. \(\displaystyle Q\) is the charge accumulated on the plates, which is one parameter we're given. Voltage, \(\displaystyle V\), on the other hand, is not provided.

To put the voltage into different terms, we'll need to use Ohm's law, which states the following.

\(\displaystyle V=iR\)

In other words, the voltage is proportional to both the current and the resistance of the circuit.

Since we are given both current and resistance as known parameters in the question stem, we can use these for our final answer. By substituting the \(\displaystyle V\) in the capacitance expression with \(\displaystyle iR\), we obtain the following answer.

\(\displaystyle C=\frac{Q}{iR}\)

Example Question #92 : College Physics

A parallel plate capacitor with no dielectric has capacitance \(\displaystyle 0.5F\). The distance between the capacitor plates is halved. What is the new capacitance?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1.0 F\)

\(\displaystyle 0.33 F\)

\(\displaystyle 0.5 F\)

\(\displaystyle 0.25 F\)

\(\displaystyle 2.0 F\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.0 F\)

Explanation:

The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is proportional to the inverse of the distance between the plates. If the distance is halved, the capacitance is doubled.

Example Question #92 : College Physics

An RC circuit is connected to a \(\displaystyle 120 V\) power supply. If the resistance of the resistor is \(\displaystyle 10000\Omega\) and the capacitance is \(\displaystyle 6mF\), how long will it take for this capacitor to become fully charged?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 0.0006s\)

\(\displaystyle 10s\)

\(\displaystyle 0.437s\)

\(\displaystyle 60s\)

\(\displaystyle 1000s\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 60s\)

Explanation:

The formula for finding the voltage of a simple RC circuit is 

\(\displaystyle V_{c} = V_{s} (1-e^{(\frac{-t}{RC})})\), where \(\displaystyle V_c\) is the capacitor voltage, \(\displaystyle V_s\) is the source voltage, \(\displaystyle R\) is the resistance, and \(\displaystyle C\) is the capacitance.

We want to know when the capacitor will reach the voltage of the power source \(\displaystyle (V_c = V_s)\) so 

\(\displaystyle 1 = 1 - e^{(\frac{-t}{RC})}\) and thus \(\displaystyle 0 = e^{(\frac{-t}{RC})}\)

Using the properties of natural logs yields

\(\displaystyle 1 = \frac{-t}{RC} = \frac{-t}{10000*(6\times 10^{-3})}\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle t\) yields \(\displaystyle t=-60=60s\)

Example Question #12 : Electromagnetics

A resistive heating element can be modeled as a resistor connected across the terminals of a battery.

If the battery is selected to be \(\displaystyle 24V\), what should the resistance of the heating element be if the radiated power is to total \(\displaystyle 60W\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 9.6\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 150\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 0.4\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 1440\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 9.6\Omega\)

Explanation:

We are asked to calculate the power dissipated through a resistor connected to a battery. We know that \(\displaystyle P=\frac{V^2}{R}\). Substituting the values given above, \(\displaystyle 60W=\frac{(24V)^2}{R}\). Solving for R yields \(\displaystyle 9.6\Omega\).

Example Question #1 : Circuits

What is the RMS voltage of a \(\displaystyle 100V\) peak-to-peak AC current?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 282V\)

\(\displaystyle 35.5V\)

\(\displaystyle 10V\)

\(\displaystyle 1000V\)

\(\displaystyle 141V\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 35.5V\)

Explanation:

This question requires two steps: the first is to calculate the peak voltage of the AC current, and the second requires conversion of the peak voltage to an RMS voltage. We are told that the current is \(\displaystyle 100V\) peak-to-peak. Thus, the peak voltage is half of this, or \(\displaystyle 50V\). By definition, to convert peak voltage to RMS voltage, we must divide the peak voltage by \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2}\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{50V}{\sqrt{2}} = 35.5V\)

Example Question #2 : Circuits

A \(\displaystyle 12V\) battery is connected to two \(\displaystyle 100\Omega\) light bulbs that are arrange in parallel. What is the total power dissipated by the light bulbs?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 0.24W\)

\(\displaystyle 2.9W\)

\(\displaystyle 100W\)

\(\displaystyle 1.5W\)

\(\displaystyle 0.12W\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2.9W\)

Explanation:

The power dissipated in each light bulb is \(\displaystyle \frac{V^2}{R}\). Since there are two light bulbs, the total power dissipated is \(\displaystyle 2\frac{V^2}{R}=2\frac{(12~\text{V})^2}{100~\Omega}\)

Example Question #2 : Circuits

What size resistor should be connected across the terminals of a \(\displaystyle 12V\) battery to produce a current of \(\displaystyle 500mA\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 24k\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 0.042\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 6\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 24\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 42\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 24\Omega\)

Explanation:

Ohm's law is \(\displaystyle V=IR\).

In this case, \(\displaystyle V=12V\) and \(\displaystyle I=0.5A\).

 Solving for the resistance, \(\displaystyle R\), we get:

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

Substitute known values and solve for the unknown resistance:

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

Example Question #2 : Ohm's Law And Current

A \(\displaystyle 9V\) battery is connected to a small heater with constant resistance \(\displaystyle R = 10~\Omega\). How much current flows through the heater?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10A\)

\(\displaystyle 0.81A\)

\(\displaystyle 90A\)

\(\displaystyle 0.9A\)

\(\displaystyle 1A\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.9A\)

Explanation:

Ohm's law relates voltage to current and resistance, \(\displaystyle V = IR\). To find the current, we simply divide the voltage by the resistance and get \(\displaystyle \frac{9\text{V}}{10\Omega} = 0.9A\)

Example Question #2 : Ohm's Law And Current

Suppose that a circuit with a single resistor is connected to a \(\displaystyle 6\:V\) battery. If \(\displaystyle 30\:W\) of power is generated across this resistor, what is its resistance?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2.4\:\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 4.8\:\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 1.2\:\Omega\)

\(\displaystyle 3.6\:\Omega\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.2\:\Omega\)

Explanation:

For this problem, let's first take note of what we know and what we don't. We're given voltage and power, but we're not given resistance or current. Since we have two unknowns, we're going to need two equations.

One of the equations that we can use is the power generated by current flowing through a resistor.

\(\displaystyle P=iV\)

In addition, we also need to use Ohm's law.

\(\displaystyle V=iR\)

With these two equations in mind, we can relate them to one another by isolating the variable for current in one equation and then substituting it into the other one.

Manipulating Ohm's law:

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

Then substituting this into the power equation:

\(\displaystyle P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}\)

And rearranging to isolate the variable for resistance:

\(\displaystyle R=\frac{V^{2}}{P}\)

Now we just need to plug in the values from the question stem to obtain the answer:

\(\displaystyle R=\frac{(6\:V)^{2}}{30\:W}=\frac{36\:V^{2}}{30\:W}=1.2\:\Omega\)

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