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Learning Introductory Physics with Activities

Paul J. Emigh, Rebecka Tumblin, Kathryn Hadley, Danielle Skinner

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Section 11.2 Voltage

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Exercises Activities

A diagram of a complete circuit consisting of a square marked with three boxes (A, B, and C) on the left, upper, and right sides, respectively. A small dot below box A is marked as a starting point.
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Figure 11.2.1. A diagram of a complete circuit consisting of a square marked with three boxes (A, B, and C) on the left, upper, and right sides, respectively. A small dot below box A is marked as a starting point.
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The image above shows a complete circuit: a continuous (unbroken) path of electrical conductors.
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This circuit has three elements (lettered boxes) connected by wires (straight lines). You do not know what each element is.
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1.

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Imagine that you are a tiny positive charge, initially located at the dot. You begin moving clockwise through the circuit. As you pass through element A, you measure that the electric potential increases by 5 V. As you pass through element B, you measure that the electric potential decreases by 3 V. How do you think the electric potential will change as you pass through element C? Explain your reasoning.
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The word voltage refers to the electric potential difference across an element within a circuit. Most elements in a circuit are connected to each other by ideal wires.
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Most circuits include at least one battery as a source of voltage. You will typically assume batteries are ideal.
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2.

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How do you think the voltage across the light bulb compares to the voltage across the battery in the circuit from the end of the video? Explain your reasoning.
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3.

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Pretend you are a little positive charge starting at the bottom left corner of the circuit from the end of the video. Sketch the voltage you experience as a function of time as you travel once around the circuit. Explain your reasoning behind your sketch. You will refer to this sketch in the upcoming sections.
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