AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism delves into the principles of electricity and magnetism, exploring concepts such as electric fields, magnetic fields, and circuits.

Electric Charge and Coulomb’s LawElectric Fields and PotentialCircuits and Ohm’s Law
Gauss’s Law and Electric FluxMagnetic Fields and ForcesInduction and Faraday’s Law
Electricity in the HomeMedical Imaging and MRIWireless Power and Communication
Mastering Problem SolvingEffective Use of CalculusUnit Conversions and Dimensional Analysis
Electric Charge and ...Electric Fields and ...Circuits and Ohm’s L...Gauss’s Law and Elec...Magnetic Fields and ...Induction and Farada...Electricity in the H...Medical Imaging and ...Wireless Power and C...Mastering Problem So...Effective Use of Cal...Unit Conversions and...
Basic Concepts

Circuits and Ohm’s Law

Building Blocks of Circuits

An electric circuit is a path through which charges flow, powered by a voltage source like a battery.

Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s Law relates voltage (\( V \)), current (\( I \)), and resistance (\( R \)): \[ V = IR \]

  • Voltage is the "push" that moves charges.
  • Current is the flow of electric charge.
  • Resistance opposes current.

Series and Parallel Circuits

  • In series circuits, resistances add up, and current is the same everywhere.
  • In parallel circuits, voltage is the same across each branch, and total current splits.

Why Circuits Matter

Circuits are everywhere: in your phone, your computer, and even your home's lighting system.

Examples

  • A flashlight turns on when you close the circuit, allowing current to flow through the bulb.

  • Resistors in a computer regulate the flow of current to sensitive components.

In a Nutshell

Ohm’s Law and circuits explain how current flows and how devices are powered.

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Gauss’s Law and Electric Flux