Physics 2B,

Quiz 3

Version 0
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Name:

PID:

Instructions (READ THIS PLEASE):

• Make sure you have a pink Scantron with Form Number: F-289-PAR-L
• Enter your student ID on your Scantron (replace the initial A with a 1)
• Enter the quiz version in the “Test Form” box of your Scantron
• Remember to write your name (legibly) on your Scantron and on the space provided
here. You will turn in the question sheet along with your scantron.
• All answers should be marked on the Scantron in PENCIL. No work need be shown.
• There are 8 multiple choice questions in this test, of varying difficulty.
• There is also a free-response question at the end. You should write your response on
the question sheet itself and turn it in.
• Please select the best answer among the choices provided.
• You are allowed to bring a letter-sized sheet of paper with hand-written notes on ONE
side for references and formulae.
• Constants:
e = 1.6 × 10−19 C
0 = 8.85 × 10−12 C 2 N −1 m−2
1
k ≡ 4π 0
= 9 × 109 N m2 C −2
Physics 2B Quiz 3, Version 0 July 22, 2019

1. The current density through a cylindrical conductor with radius 1cm is given by J1 = 2r
from r = 0 cm to r = x cm, and J2 = −2r from r = x cm to r = 1 cm. The direction of
the current density is as shown in the figure. If the total current through a cross section
is zero, what is x?

A. 1.0cm
B. 0.2cm
C. 0.4cm
D. 0.6cm
E. 0.8cm
~ and I2 =
J~1 · dA ~ Setting 0 = I1 + I2 yields
J~2 · dA.
R R
Solution: By definition, I1 =
Z x Z 1 cm
4π 3 4π
0= (2r)(2πr dr) + (−2r)(2πr dr) = x − (1 cm3 − x3 ).
0 x 3 3

Hence 2x3 = 1 cm3 , or x = 2−1/3 cm3 = 0.8 cm.

2. Which of the following would decrease the total resistance of a long rod of metal
(measuring the resistance along the rod)?
A. Attach another identical rod (side by side) to the first rod
B. Attach another identical rod (end to end) to the first rod
C. Bend the rod into an ‘S’ shape
D. Slice off half of the rod along its length (so it’s new cross section would be a
half-circle)
E. None of these would change the resistance as it is a property of the metal.
Solution: Use the equation R = ρL/A. In choice A, A → 2A so that R → R/2. In
choice B, L → 2L so that R → 2R. In choice C, R does not change. In choice D,
L → L/2 so that R → 2R. In choice E, the resistivity ρ is a property of the metal, but
the resistance R depends on the geometric factors length L and cross-sectional area A.

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Physics 2B Quiz 3, Version 0 July 22, 2019

3. What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit shown below?

6Ω
5Ω
3Ω
4Ω

2Ω
1Ω

A. 21Ω
B. 9.55Ω
C. 18Ω
D. 6.05Ω
E. 13.4Ω
Solution: Note that the 3 Ω resistor has no effect on the circuit or equivalent resistance.
The 5 Ω and 2 Ω resistors are in series and so are equivalent to a 5 Ω+2 Ω = 7 Ω resistor.
This is in parallel with the 4 Ω resistor, which yields a (1/(4 Ω) + 1/(7 Ω))−1 = 28/11 Ω
equivalent resistor. This is in series with the 6 Ω and 1 Ω resistors, so we finally obtain
Req = 6 Ω + 28/11 Ω + 1 Ω = 9.55 Ω.
4. Which of the following statements is true about the circuit shown ?

R2
8
R

V
R1 R3
R7
6
R

R5 R4

A. R2 and R8 have the same current flowing through them.

B. R1 and R6 have the same magnitude of potential difference across
them.
C. The current through R3 must equal the sum of currents through R8 and R7 .
D. R4 and R7 are connected in parallel.
E. All of the above statements are false.
Solution: Simply apply Kirchoff’s loop rule to the triangular loop on the far right of
the circuit.

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Physics 2B Quiz 3, Version 0 July 22, 2019

5. Switch S in the figure is closed at time t = 0s, to begin charging an initially uncharged
capacitor of capacitance C = 15.3µF through a resistor of resistance R = 21.6Ω. At
what time is the potential across the capacitor equal to that across the resistor?

21.6Ω
S

V 15.3µF

A. 0.23ms
B. 0.46ms
C. 0.12ms
D. 0.69ms
E. 1.2ms
Solution: We know that the potential VC across the capacitor as a function of time is
given by VC (t) = V (1 − e−t/RC ). By Kirchoff’s loop rule, the potential across the resistor
VR as a function of time is VR (t) = V − VC (t) = V e−t/RC . Simply set VC (t) = VR (t) to
obtain V (1 − e−t/RC ) = V e−t/RC , which simplifies to t = RC ln 2 = 0.23 ms.

6. What is the time constant, τ , for the circuit shown below?

8Ω 30F

60F

A. 160s
B. 720s
C. 11.25s
D. 2.5s
E. 81s
Solution: Find the equivalent capacitance Ceq via Ceq = (1/30 F + 1/60 F)−1 = 20 F.
The time constant τ for the RC circuit is then given by τ = RCeq = (8 Ω)(20 F) = 160 s.

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Physics 2B Quiz 3, Version 0 July 22, 2019

7. Shown below is a solid conducting block. Current flowing along which axis will experience
the most resistance from the block?
y

z
A. x
B. y
C. z
D. All axes will face the same resistance.
Solution: Recall that R = ρL/A. Clearly the block has the greatest length and shortest
cross-sectional area along the z-axis.

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Physics 2B Quiz 3, Version 0 July 22, 2019

8. If the resistors below are lightbulbs, which one will glow the brightest? (Assume all
power dissipated in the resistors is in the form of light and there is no heat wasted).

3Ω

12V 6Ω

A. The 3Ω bulb will glow brightest

B. The 6Ω bulb will glow brightest
C. They will all glow at the same brightness
D. Not enough information to answer
Solution: We wish to determine which resistor dissipates more power. Because the
resistors are connected in series, they have the same current going through them, so use
the equation P = I 2 R for the power dissipated by a resistor. (In contrast, if the resistors
were connected in parallel, then they would have the same voltage difference across them,
in which case we would use the equation P = V 2 /R.) The power dissipated by the 3 Ω
resistor is I 2 (3 Ω), and the power dissipated by the 6 Ω resistor is I 2 (6 Ω). Hence the
6 Ω bulb glows brighter, as 6 > 3. Here I = (12 V)/Req = (12 V)/(9 Ω) = 4/3 A, but
this was not necessary for us to determine.

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Physics 2B Quiz 3, Version 0 July 22, 2019

Free Response Question

Find the magnitude and direction for the current through all resistors in the circuit shown
below.

12V

5Ω

9V
8Ω

3Ω
7Ω
10V

Response: This circuit has three independent branches. Let I1 be the current through the
7 Ω resistor pointing to the right. Let I2 be the current through the 3 Ω resistor point up
to the left. Let I3 be the current through the 8 Ω resistor pointing up. Applying Kirchoff’s
loop rule to the lower trapezoidal loop, summing voltage difference in a counterclockwise
direction, yields
10 V − (7 Ω)I1 − (3 Ω)I2 + 9 V − (5 Ω)I1 = 0.
Applying Kirchoff’s loop rule to the upper trapezoidal loop, summing voltage difference in
a counterclockwise direction, yields

12 V − 9 V + (3 Ω)I2 − (8 Ω)I3 = 0.

Finally, applying Kirchoff’s junction rule to the node on the lower left yields

I1 = I2 + I3 .

Now solve these three equations simultaneously for I1 , I2 , and I3 .

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