AP Physics C: E&M Unit 13 practice questions
Try 10 multiple-choice questions from Unit 13 here. Pick an answer to see why it's right or wrong, then take the timed test above for a full AP-style set.
Question 1
A circular wire loop of radius is placed in a uniform magnetic field that is perpendicular to the plane of the loop. The magnetic field magnitude changes at a constant rate , inducing an electromotive force (emf) of magnitude . If the loop is replaced by one with radius and the rate of change of the magnetic field is increased to , what is the new induced emf magnitude?
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Answer: (A)
Applying Faraday's law requires identifying that induced emf depends on the rate of change of magnetic flux . Since the area , the emf is proportional to and the rate . Doubling the radius increases the area by a factor of 4, and tripling the rate contributes a factor of 3, resulting in a total factor of .
Question 2
A conducting bar of length moves with speed perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field of magnitude , generating a motional emf of . If the magnetic field strength is doubled, the bar length is halved, and the speed is quadrupled, what is the new motional emf?
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Answer: (A)
Analyzing the functional dependence of motional emf reveals how the variable changes combine. Substituting the new values gives , which is four times the original emf.
Question 3
An ideal solenoid with turns and length has a self-inductance that produces an induced emf of magnitude when the current changes at a rate . If a second solenoid has turns and length but the same cross-sectional area, what is the magnitude of the induced emf for the same rate of current change?
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Answer: (A)
Determining the new emf requires analyzing the functional dependence of inductance . Doubling increases by a factor of 4, while doubling decreases by a factor of 2. The net change is a factor of 2, so the induced emf doubles.
Question 4
A rectangular coil with area rotates with angular speed in a uniform magnetic field, generating a maximum induced emf . If the angular speed is doubled to and the area of the coil is reduced to , what is the new maximum induced emf?
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Answer: (A)
Evaluating the generator equation shows the direct proportionality to both area and angular speed. Doubling introduces a factor of 2, while halving introduces a factor of 0.5. The product is , so the emf remains unchanged.
Question 5
Inside a long solenoid of radius with a changing current, the induced electric field at a distance from the axis has magnitude . What is the magnitude of the induced electric field at a distance from the axis?
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Answer: (A)
Using Faraday's law in integral form for a path of radius reveals that , simplifying to . Halving the distance from to therefore halves the electric field magnitude.
Question 6
A square wire loop of side length moves with constant speed into a uniform magnetic field, generating an induced emf . If this loop is replaced by a square loop of side length moving with speed , what is the new induced emf?
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Answer: (A)
Calculating the motional emf requires identifying the effective length perpendicular to motion. Here . The new emf is , which is equal to the original emf .
Question 7
The magnetic flux through a loop is given as a function of time by , where is a constant. At time , the induced emf has magnitude . What is the magnitude of the induced emf at time ?
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Answer: (A)
Applying calculus to Faraday's law yields . This shows the emf depends on the square of time (). Doubling the time results in a factor of .
Question 8
A metal rod of length rotates about one end in a uniform magnetic field with angular speed , generating an induced emf . If the rod is replaced by one of length rotating with angular speed , what is the new induced emf?
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Answer: (A)
Analyzing the expression for a rotating rod reveals that emf is proportional to and . Tripling introduces a factor of 9, and dividing by 3 introduces a factor of 1/3. The product is .
Question 9
A circular loop of wire with radius and resistance is in a changing magnetic field, resulting in an induced current . If the loop is replaced by one made of the same wire but with radius , what is the new induced current?
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Answer: (A)
Connecting emf and resistance determines the current. The emf scales with area (), while resistance scales with circumference () for the same wire type. By Ohm's law, . Thus, doubling the radius doubles the current.
Question 10
The current in a long solenoid varies with time as , where is a constant, inducing a constant emf in a nearby loop. If the current function is changed to , which of the following best describes the time dependence of the new induced emf?
It increases linearly with time.
It remains constant.
It increases quadratically with time.
It decreases linearly with time.
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Answer: (A)
Applying Faraday's law shows that induced emf is proportional to the rate of change of current . For , the derivative is , which depends linearly on time.
What's on the AP Physics C: E&M Unit 13 practice test
The standard version takes about 88 minutes and follows the timing and directions of the AP exam, sized to one unit:
- 20 Multiple Choice Questions (40 minutes)
- 1 FRQ – FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines (24 minutes)
- 1 FRQ – FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations (24 minutes)
Questions are drawn from 940 multiple-choice questions and 37 FRQs written for Unit 13, Electromagnetic Induction.
Practice AP Physics C: E&M Unit 13 FRQs
Answer the unit's free-response questions one at a time and get a score on every part.
- FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines (11 questions)
- FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations (5 questions)
- FRQ 3 – Experimental Design (4 questions)
- FRQ 4 – Qualitative/Quantitative Translation (17 questions)
Review Unit 13 before you start
- 13.1 Magnetic Flux
- 13.2 Electromagnetic Induction
- 13.3 Induced Currents and Magnetic Forces
- 13.4 Inductance
- 13.5 Circuits with Resistors and Inductors (LR Circuits)
- 13.6 Circuits with Capacitors and Inductors (LC Circuits)