PhysicsLAB: 2007 Form B

AP Free Response Question
2007 Form B - B3

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In the circuit above, a 12.0 V battery is connected to two resistors, one of resistance 1000 ohms and the other of resistance 500 ohms. A capacitor with a capacitance of 30 x 10^-6 F is connected in parallel with the 500-ohm resistor. The circuit has been connected for a long time, and all currents have reached their steady states.

	(a) Calculate the current in the 500-ohm resistor.

(b) Circuit Elements

	i. Draw an ammeter in the circuit above in a location such that it could measure the current in the 500-ohm 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 1000-ohm resistor. Use the symbol to indicate the voltmeter.

	(c) Calculate the charge stored on the capacitor.

	(d) Calculate the power dissipated in the 1000-ohm resistor.

	(e) The capacitor is now discharged, and the 500-ohm resistor is removed and replaced by a resistor of greater resistance. The circuit is reconnected, and 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)? Justify your answer.

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