AP Physics 2: Resistors in Series Multiple Choice Questions

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Resistors in series have the same current flowing through them.
• 💡 The total resistance ($R_{eq}$) of resistors in series is the sum of individual resistances: $R_{eq} = R_1 + R_2 + R_3 + ...$
• 📝 The voltage drop across each resistor is proportional to its resistance: $V_i = IR_i$, where $I$ is the current and $R_i$ is the resistance of the $i$-th resistor.
• ⚡ The total voltage ($V_T$) across a series circuit is the sum of the individual voltage drops: $V_T = V_1 + V_2 + V_3 + ...$
• 🍎 Power dissipated in a resistor is given by $P = I^2R = \frac{V^2}{R}$. In a series circuit, the total power dissipated is the sum of the power dissipated in each resistor.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. A series circuit contains a 3 $\Omega$ resistor, a 6 $\Omega$ resistor, and a 9 $\Omega$ resistor. What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit?
   1. 3 $\Omega$
   2. 6 $\Omega$
   3. 9 $\Omega$
   4. 18 $\Omega$
2. In a series circuit with two resistors, $R_1 = 10 \Omega$ and $R_2 = 20 \Omega$, a 12 V battery is connected. What is the current flowing through the circuit?
   1. 0.2 A
   2. 0.4 A
   3. 0.6 A
   4. 1.2 A
3. Three resistors with values 2 $\Omega$, 4 $\Omega$, and 6 $\Omega$ are connected in series to a 24 V source. What is the voltage drop across the 4 $\Omega$ resistor?
   1. 4 V
   2. 6 V
   3. 8 V
   4. 12 V
4. A 10 $\Omega$ and a 20 $\Omega$ resistor are connected in series to a 9V battery. Find the power dissipated by the 20 $\Omega$ resistor.
   1. 1 W
   2. 2 W
   3. 3 W
   4. 4 W
5. If one resistor in a series circuit burns out (becomes an open circuit), what happens to the current in the circuit?
   1. Increases
   2. Decreases
   3. Goes to zero
   4. Remains the same
6. Two identical resistors are connected in series. If the voltage across one resistor is 6 V, what is the voltage across the entire series combination?
   1. 3 V
   2. 6 V
   3. 9 V
   4. 12 V
7. A series circuit consists of a 5 $\Omega$ resistor and a light bulb. If the current through the 5 $\Omega$ resistor is 2 A, what is the current through the light bulb?
   1. 0 A
   2. 1 A
   3. 2 A
   4. 4 A