AP Physics 1 Learning Guide
Unit 12: DC Circuits
Essential Questions:
What is the main advantage of parallel circuits versus series circuits?
What is the significance of a
Wheatstone bridge?
Key Vocabulary:
Series Circuit
Parallel Circuit
Equivalent Resistance
EMF
Internal Resistance
Terminal Voltage
Kirchhoff’s 1 st Rule (Junction)
Kirchhoff’s 2 nd Rule (Loop)
RC Circuit
Time Constant
Galvanometer
Ammeter
Voltmeter
Potentiometer Circuit
Wheatstone bridge
Learning Targets:
AP.PHYS.11.12.1
Determine   the   equivalent   resistance   of   resistors   arranged   in   series   or   in   parallel   or   the   equivalent   resistance   of   a   series ‐ parallel   combination
AP.PHYS.11.12.2
Use   Ohm’s   law   and   Kirchhoff’s   rules   to   determine   the   current   through   each   resistor   and   the   voltage   drop   across   each   resistor   in   a   single   loop   or   multi ‐ loop   dc   circuit
AP.PHYS.11.12.3
Distinguish   between   the   emf   and   the   terminal   voltage   of   a   battery   and   calculate   the   terminal   voltage   given   the   emf,   internal   resistance   of   the   battery,   and   external   resistance   in   the   circuit
AP.PHYS.11.12.4
Determine   the   equivalent   capacitance   of   capacitors   arranged   in   series   or   in   parallel   or   the   equivalent   capacitance   of   a   series ‐ parallel   combination.
AP.PHYS.11.12.5
Determine   the   charge   on   each   capacitor   and   the   voltage   drop   across   each   capacitor   in   a   circuit   where   capacitors   are   arranged   in   series,   parallel   or   a   series   parallel   combination.
AP.PHYS.11.12.6
Calculate   the   time   constant   of   an   RC   circuit.
Determine   the   charge   on   the   capacitor   and   the   potential   difference   across   the   capacitor   at   a   particular   moment   of   time   and   the   current   through   the   resistor   at   a   particular   moment   in   time.
AP.PHYS.11.12.7
Describe   the   basic   operation   of   a   galvanometer   and   calculate   the   resistance   which   must   be   added   to   convert   a   galvanometer   into   an   ammeter   or   a   voltmeter .
AP.PHYS.11.12.8
Describe   how   a   slide   wire   potentiometer   can   be   used   to   determine   the   emf   of   a   source   of   the   emf.
Given   the   emf   of   a   standard   cell,   use   the   slide   wire   potentiometer   to   calculate   the   emf   of   the   unknown.
AP.PHYS.11.12.9
Describe   how   a   Wheatstone   bridge   circuit   can   be   used   to   determine   the   resistance   of   an   unknown   resistor.
Given   three   known   resistors   and   a   Wheatstone   bridge   circuit,   calculate   the   resistance   of   an   unknown   resistor.