AP 1 PSI Physics
Name: ___________________
Circuits Test v 3
Date:________________
Multiple Choice Section
Use the following diagram for questions 1 and 2.
1. In the circuit shown above, what is the value of the net resistance of the circuit?
(A) 1.3 Ω (B) 2.8 Ω
(C) 6 Ω
(D) 13 Ω
2. What is the voltage drop across 4Ω resistor?
(A) 1 V (B) 2 V (C) 3 V (D) 4 V
3. The five resistors shown below have the lengths and cross-sectional areas indicated and are
made of material with the same resistivity. Which has the smallest resistance?
4. A lamp L1, a voltmeter V, an ammeter A, and a battery with zero internal resistance are
connected as shown above. Connecting another lamp L2 in series with the first lamp as shown
by the dashed lines would
(A) increase the ammeter reading. (B) produce no change in the voltmeter reading.
(C) increase the voltmeter reading. (D) decrease the voltmeter reading.
Use the following diagram for questions 5 and 6.
5. In the circuit above, the ratio of current in the top segment (2 and 3 ohm resistors) to the
current in the bottom segment (5 ohm resistor) is
(A) 2/5
(B) 2/3
(C) 1/1
(D) 5/1
6. When there is a steady current in the circuit, the amount of charge passing a point per unit of
time is:
(A) the same everywhere in the circuit
(B) greater at point X than at point Y
(C) greater in the 2  resistor than in the 5  resistor
(D) the same in the 2  resistor and in the 5  resistor
7. In the circuit two identical resistors R are connected in series with 8- resistor and 12- V
battery. What is the value of R if the current in the circuit I = 1 A?
(A) 1 
(B) 2 
(C) 4 
(D) 12 
8. A heating spiral of resistance R converts electrical energy into thermal energy that is
transferred to the liquid in which the spiral is immersed. If the voltage across the spiral is V,
the thermal energy transferred to the liquid in time t is:
(A) Vrt (B) V2Rt
(C) VR2t
(D)V2t/R
9. In the diagrams above, resistors R1 and R2 are shown in two different connections to the same
source of emf  that has no internal resistance. How does the power dissipated by the
resistors in these two cases compare?
(A) It is greater for the series connection.
(B) It is greater for the parallel connection.
(C) It is the same for both connections.
(D) One must know the values of R1 and R2 to know which is greater.
10. A circuit, shown above, has three resisters R1 = 60Ω, R2 = 30Ω, and R3 = 20Ω, an internal
resistance r = 4Ω, and a battery 120V. What is the relationship between the three labeled
currents?
(A) I1 + I2 = I3 = I
(B) I1 =I2 < I < I3
(C) I1 + I2 + I3 = I
(D) I2 > I1 > I3 > I
Multi-correct Section: For each question or incomplete statement, two of the answers are correct.
For each questions you must select both answers.
11. The diagrams above so four light bulbs of the same type. Two are in series and two are in
parallel. Which of the following statements are true? Choose two answers.
(A) The light bulbs in the series circuit are brightest since they get the total current.
(B) The series circuit has more total resistance than the parallel circuit.
(C) The parallel circuit has the less total current than the series circuit.
(D) The light bulbs in the parallel circuit draw more power than in the series circuit.
12. Which circuits have the same resistance between the terminals? Choose two answers.
AP 1 PSI Physics
Name: ___________________
Circuits Test v 3
Date:________________
Free Response Section
In the circuit above, a 12V battery is connected to two resistors, one of resistance 1000Ω and the
other of resistance 500Ω. A capacitor with a capacitance of 30μF is connected in parallel with the
500Ω resistor. The circuit has been connected for a long time, and all the currents have reached their
steady states.
a. Calculate the current in the 500Ω resistor.
b.
i. Draw an ammeter in the circuit above in a location such that it could measure the
current in the 500Ω resistor. Use the symbol
to indicate the ammeter.
ii. Draw a voltmeter in the circuit above in a location such that it could measure the
voltage across the 1000Ω resistor. Use the symbol
to indicate the voltmeter.
c. Calculate the charge stored on the capacitor.
d. Calculate the power dissipated in the 1000Ω resistor.
e. The capacitor is now discharged, and the 500Ω resistor is removed and replaced by a
resistor of greater resistance. The circuit is reconnected, and all currents are again allowed
to come to their steady-state values. Is the charge now stored on the capacitor larger,
smaller, or the same as it was in part c?
____ Larger
____ Smaller
Justify your answer.
____ The same as
AP 1 Circuits Test v3
Multiple Choice Answers (12 points)
1.
2.
3.
4.
C
D
C
B
5.
6.
7.
8.
C
D
B
D
Free Response Answers AP Exam 2007 Form B #3 (15 points)
9. B
10. A
11. B, D
12. A, D