Understanding Circuit Connections and Energy

The video tutorial covers solving a free response question from the 2017 AP Physics 1 exam. It begins with an introduction to the problem, describing three circuits with identical batteries and light bulbs. The tutorial explains how to rank the potential differences across the light bulbs and discusses energy usage in the circuits, focusing on which circuit's battery will deplete first and last. The video concludes with scoring guidelines and emphasizes the importance of a coherent paragraph-length response.

In the given problem, how many circuits are described?

• Four

• Two

• Three

• One

In circuit one, how many light bulbs are connected to the battery?

• Three

• One

• Four

• Two

How are the light bulbs connected in circuit two?

• In parallel

• In series

• Not connected

• In a combination of series and parallel

Which circuit has light bulbs connected in parallel?

• Circuit three

• None of the circuits

• Circuit two

• Circuit one

Which light bulbs have the same potential difference as the battery?

• A, B, and C

• A, D, and E

• B and C

• All light bulbs

What is the ranking of the potential differences across the light bulbs from largest to smallest?

• A = D = E > B = C

• A > B > C > D > E

• B = C > A = D = E

• A = B = C > D = E

What does the rate at which the battery uses its electric potential energy represent?

• Electric power

• Electric resistance

• Electric potential difference

• Electric current

Which circuit will run out of usable energy first?

• Circuit one

• All circuits at the same time

• Circuit two

• Circuit three

Which circuit will run out of usable energy last?

• Circuit one

• Circuit three

• Circuit two

• All circuits at the same time

What happens to the equivalent resistance when a resistor is added in parallel?

• It increases

• It decreases

• It doubles

• It remains the same