AP®︎ Physics C: E&M Unit 11: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 11 of AP Physics C: E&M – Electric Circuits.

Exam weight: 15%–25%
8 Topics

Unit 11: Electric Circuits

How current, resistance, and EMF relate through Kirchhoff's laws, including RC circuit transients with exponential behavior.

Begin with Topic 11.1: Electric Current

To review Unit 11, go through each of the 8 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 11 test, pulled directly from the AP® Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism curriculum.

Topic 11.1
~6 min
Review
Electric Current
Electric Current
  • What Electric Current Is
  • Direction of Current
  • Current Density
Review
Topic 11.2
~6 min
Review
Simple Circuits
Simple Circuits
  • What an Electric Circuit Is
  • Circuit Elements and What They Do
  • Circuit Schematics and Physical Arrangement
Review
Topic 11.3
~6 min
Review
Resistance, Resistivity, and Ohm’s Law
Resistance, Resistivity, and Ohm’s Law
  • What Resistance Is
  • Resistivity and What Resistance Depends On
  • Ohm’s Law and Circuit Element Behavior
Review
Topic 11.4
~6 min
Review
Electric Power
Electric Power
  • What Electric Power Is
  • Equivalent Forms of the Power Equation
  • Power and Energy Flow in Circuit Elements
Review
Topic 11.5
~6 min
Review
Compound Direct Current Circuits
Compound Direct Current Circuits
  • Series and Parallel Connections
  • Equivalent Resistance in Compound Circuits
  • Batteries with Internal Resistance
Review
Topic 11.6
~6 min
Review
Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule
Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule
  • What Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule Says
  • Voltage changes across circuit elements
  • Electric potential graphs around a loop
Review
Topic 11.7
~6 min
Review
Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule
Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule
  • What Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule Says
  • How to Apply the Junction Rule in a Circuit
  • Multiple Junctions and Independent Equations
Review
Topic 11.8
~7 min
Review
Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits
Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits
  • Equivalent Capacitance of Multiple Capacitors
  • The Fundamental RC Differential Equation
  • The Time Constant \( \tau \)
Review

Notes

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