Skip to main content

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.

  1. Question 1

    A circular wire loop of radius rr 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 β\beta, inducing an electromotive force (emf) of magnitude E0\mathcal{E}_0. If the loop is replaced by one with radius 2r2r and the rate of change of the magnetic field is increased to 3β3\beta, what is the new induced emf magnitude?

    12E012\mathcal{E}_0

    6E06\mathcal{E}_0

    36E036\mathcal{E}_0

    4E04\mathcal{E}_0

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Applying Faraday's law requires identifying that induced emf depends on the rate of change of magnetic flux ΦB=BA\Phi_B = BA. Since the area A=πr2A = \pi r^2, the emf is proportional to r2r^2 and the rate dBdt\frac{dB}{dt}. 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 4×3=124 \times 3 = 12.

  2. Question 2

    A conducting bar of length LL moves with speed vv perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field of magnitude BB, generating a motional emf of E\mathcal{E}. If the magnetic field strength is doubled, the bar length is halved, and the speed is quadrupled, what is the new motional emf?

    4E4\mathcal{E}

    2E2\mathcal{E}

    E\mathcal{E}

    8E8\mathcal{E}

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Analyzing the functional dependence of motional emf E=BLv\mathcal{E} = BLv reveals how the variable changes combine. Substituting the new values gives Enew=(2B)(L/2)(4v)=4BLv\mathcal{E}_{new} = (2B)(L/2)(4v) = 4BLv, which is four times the original emf.

  3. Question 3

    An ideal solenoid with NN turns and length ℓ\ell has a self-inductance that produces an induced emf of magnitude E\mathcal{E} when the current changes at a rate α\alpha. If a second solenoid has 2N2N turns and length 2ℓ2\ell but the same cross-sectional area, what is the magnitude of the induced emf for the same rate of current change?

    2E2\mathcal{E}

    E\mathcal{E}

    4E4\mathcal{E}

    E/2\mathcal{E}/2

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Determining the new emf requires analyzing the functional dependence of inductance L=μ0N2AℓL = \frac{\mu_0 N^2 A}{\ell}. Doubling NN increases LL by a factor of 4, while doubling ℓ\ell decreases LL by a factor of 2. The net change is a factor of 2, so the induced emf E=LdIdt\mathcal{E} = L \frac{dI}{dt} doubles.

  4. Question 4

    A rectangular coil with area AA rotates with angular speed ω\omega in a uniform magnetic field, generating a maximum induced emf Emax\mathcal{E}_{max}. If the angular speed is doubled to 2ω2\omega and the area of the coil is reduced to A/2A/2, what is the new maximum induced emf?

    Emax\mathcal{E}_{max}

    2Emax2\mathcal{E}_{max}

    Emax/2\mathcal{E}_{max}/2

    Emax/4\mathcal{E}_{max}/4

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Evaluating the generator equation Emax=NBAω\mathcal{E}_{max} = NBA\omega shows the direct proportionality to both area and angular speed. Doubling ω\omega introduces a factor of 2, while halving AA introduces a factor of 0.5. The product is 2×0.5=12 \times 0.5 = 1, so the emf remains unchanged.

  5. Question 5

    Inside a long solenoid of radius RR with a changing current, the induced electric field at a distance r=R/2r = R/2 from the axis has magnitude E0E_0. What is the magnitude of the induced electric field at a distance r=R/4r = R/4 from the axis?

    E0/2E_0/2

    E0/4E_0/4

    2E02E_0

    E0E_0

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Using Faraday's law in integral form ∮E⃗⋅dl⃗=−dΦBdt\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{l} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt} for a path of radius r<Rr < R reveals that E(2πr)=(πr2)dBdtE(2\pi r) = (\pi r^2) \frac{dB}{dt}, simplifying to E∝rE \propto r. Halving the distance from R/2R/2 to R/4R/4 therefore halves the electric field magnitude.

  6. Question 6

    A square wire loop of side length ss moves with constant speed vv into a uniform magnetic field, generating an induced emf E0\mathcal{E}_0. If this loop is replaced by a square loop of side length 2s2s moving with speed v/2v/2, what is the new induced emf?

    E0\mathcal{E}_0

    2E02\mathcal{E}_0

    E0/2\mathcal{E}_0/2

    4E04\mathcal{E}_0

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Calculating the motional emf E=Bℓv\mathcal{E} = B\ell v requires identifying the effective length ℓ\ell perpendicular to motion. Here ℓ=s\ell = s. The new emf is B(2s)(v/2)=BsvB(2s)(v/2) = Bsv, which is equal to the original emf E0\mathcal{E}_0.

  7. Question 7

    The magnetic flux through a loop is given as a function of time by ΦB(t)=Ct3\Phi_B(t) = Ct^3, where CC is a constant. At time t=Tt = T, the induced emf has magnitude E1\mathcal{E}_1. What is the magnitude of the induced emf at time t=2Tt = 2T?

    4E14\mathcal{E}_1

    2E12\mathcal{E}_1

    8E18\mathcal{E}_1

    6E16\mathcal{E}_1

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Applying calculus to Faraday's law E=∣dΦdt∣\mathcal{E} = |\frac{d\Phi}{dt}| yields E(t)=3Ct2\mathcal{E}(t) = 3Ct^2. This shows the emf depends on the square of time (E∝t2\mathcal{E} \propto t^2). Doubling the time TT results in a factor of 22=42^2 = 4.

  8. Question 8

    A metal rod of length LL rotates about one end in a uniform magnetic field with angular speed ω\omega, generating an induced emf E\mathcal{E}. If the rod is replaced by one of length 3L3L rotating with angular speed ω/3\omega/3, what is the new induced emf?

    3E3\mathcal{E}

    E\mathcal{E}

    9E9\mathcal{E}

    27E27\mathcal{E}

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Analyzing the expression for a rotating rod E=12BωL2\mathcal{E} = \frac{1}{2}B\omega L^2 reveals that emf is proportional to ω\omega and L2L^2. Tripling LL introduces a factor of 9, and dividing ω\omega by 3 introduces a factor of 1/3. The product is 9/3=39/3 = 3.

  9. Question 9

    A circular loop of wire with radius rr and resistance RR is in a changing magnetic field, resulting in an induced current I0I_0. If the loop is replaced by one made of the same wire but with radius 2r2r, what is the new induced current?

    2I02I_0

    4I04I_0

    I0I_0

    I0/2I_0/2

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Connecting emf and resistance determines the current. The emf scales with area (∝r2\propto r^2), while resistance scales with circumference (∝r\propto r) for the same wire type. By Ohm's law, I=E/R∝r2/r=rI = \mathcal{E}/R \propto r^2/r = r. Thus, doubling the radius doubles the current.

  10. Question 10

    The current in a long solenoid varies with time as I(t)=ktI(t) = kt, where kk is a constant, inducing a constant emf in a nearby loop. If the current function is changed to I(t)=kt2I(t) = kt^2, 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.

    Show answer

    Answer: (A)

    Applying Faraday's law shows that induced emf is proportional to the rate of change of current dIdt\frac{dI}{dt}. For I(t)=kt2I(t) = kt^2, the derivative is 2kt2kt, 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.

Review Unit 13 before you start

Other AP Physics C: E&M unit tests