March 8, 2012

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Part A: Indicate the best or most nearly correct answer by filling in the corresponding circle on the
optical scan sheet with an HB pencil. Each correct answer is worth 2 marks. An incorrect answer or
unanswered question counts as zero marks. Remember to code your student number and version
number on the scan sheet.

1. A long straight wire carries current I = 1.0 A towards a junction, where the current divides into two equal
currents flowing away on the other two long straight wires. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field
produced at the point P on the diagram?

A) Zero
B) 0.2µT
C) 0.4µT I 0.5 m
D) 0.6µT
P

2. The switch in the circuit shown is initially open, and the capacitor is uncharged. Immediately after the
switch is closed, the current through the switch will be:

A) ε/R2
B) ε/(R1 + R2) ε R2
C) ε/R1 C
D) 0
R1

3. A wire carrying current I is suspended above the South pole of a bar magnet as shown. The wire will
experience a magnetic force
I
A) into the page
B) up
C) out of the page
D) down S
E) The magnetic force will be zero.

4. An electron is released from rest in a magnetic field. In the absence of other, non-magnetic, forces:

A) The electron accelerates in the direction of the magnetic field

B) The electron accelerates in the direction opposite to the magnetic field
C) The electron accelerates in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field.
D) The electron travels in a circular path at constant speed.
E) The electron remains at rest.
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5. The integral ∫ B ⋅ ds in Ampère’s Law should be taken

A) Along a current-carrying wire
B) Along any closed path
C) Over a surface enclosing a volume
D) Over the area inside a circuit

6. A current is flowing through a straight uniform wire. If the magnitude of the magnetic field outside the wire
at a distance r from the centre of the wire is given by B0, what is the magnitude at twice this distance?

A) 4B0
B) 2B0
C) B0
D) ½ B0
E) ¼ B0

7. A proton is moving in a circular orbit in a uniform magnetic field that is perpendicular to its motion. If the
magnitude of the field is increased by a factor of two the cyclotron frequency would:

A) decrease by a factor of two

B) remain unchanged
C) increase by a factor of two
D) increase by a factor of four

8. Three identical resistors, labeled R1, R2, and R3, are connected to a battery as shown. If we label the power
dissipated in the resistors as P1, P2, and P3, then:

A) P1 = P2 = P3
B) P1 = P2 > P3 R1 R2
C) P1 > P2 = P3
D) P1 = P3 > P2
E) P1 > P3 > P2 R3

9. Currents of equal magnitude I travel out of the page in wire M and into the page in wire N. The direction of
the magnetic field produced at point P, equidistant from the two wires, is

A) →
B) ← P •
C) ↓
D) ↑
E) the field is zero at P.
M • × N
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Part B (Problems): Write a clear solution showing how the answer is obtained. Each problem is
worth 3 marks.

10. Apply Kirchhoff’s circuit rules to calculate each current. Include the correct sign to indicate direction
relative to the arrows shown.
6.0 Ω

11 Ω
9.0 V 12 Ω
1.5 V
I2 I3
I1
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11. A long metal ribbon with a cross section that is 12.0 mm wide and 2.0 µm thick carries a current I = 0.50 A.
A voltmeter connected to two contacts 75 cm apart on the ribbon reads 2.0 V. Calculate the conductivity of the
material from which the ribbon is made.
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µ0 Ids × rˆ
12. Use the Biot-Savart Law, B =
4π ∫ r2
, to calculate the magnetic field at the centre C of the
semicircular bulge in the infinitely long wire shown. Be sure to consider all three sections of the wire in your
explanation. For the curved portion, show the vectors ds and r̂ clearly on the diagram, with directions, and
explain how you do the integral to get both magnitude and direction of B.

R
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13. A 20.0 mF capacitor is connected in series with a 10.0 ohm resistor, a switch and a 6.0 volt battery.

a) What is the time constant, τ, of the circuit?

b) Make a sketch of the current vs time graph after the switch is closed, at t=0 s.

c) What is the current at t=3τ after the switch is closed?

END