AP PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

1. Read each question carefully. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may
not have equal weight.

A wire of length and radius carries a current , as shown. The current density is constant and the length of
the wire is much greater that its radius, .

(a) On the axes below, sketch a graph of the magnitude of magnetic field as a function of .

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Page 1 of 8

 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

Students perform an experiment to determine the current in the wire shown. A magnetic field probe is placed at
point to measure the magnitude of the magnetic field at a distance from the center of the wire. The radius
of the wire is very small compared to the distance from the probe to the wire, . The data for different
positions of the probe is shown in the chart.

10 20 30 40 50

(b) Indicate below which quantities should be graphed to yield a straight line whose slope could be used to
calculate a numerical value for the current .

Vertical axis: ____________

Horizontal axis: ____________

Use the remaining rows in the table above, as needed, to record any quantities that you indicated that are not given
in the table. Label each column you use and include units.

(c)

i. Plot the data points for the quantities indicated in part on the graph below. Clearly scale and label all axes,
including units if appropriate. Draw a straight line that best represents the data.

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 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

ii. Using the straight line, calculate an experimental value for .

A second wire is placed a distance away from wire 1. Wire 2 carries the same current as wire 1 but in the
opposite direction. Point is a distance from wire 1. A proton of mass and charge moves with speed in
the -direction as it reaches point .

(d)

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 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

i. In the space below, draw a vector to represent the direction of the net magnetic field at point due to the two
wires. A circle with a dot should be used to represent the -direction, and a circle with an should be used to
represent the -direction.

Justify your answer.

ii. Derive an equation for the magnitude of magnetic force on the proton. Express your answer in terms of , , ,
, , and physical constants, as appropriate.

iii. In the space below, draw a vector to represent the direction of the magnetic force on the proton. A circle with a
dot should be used to represent the -direction, and a circle with an should be used to represent the
-direction.

Justify your answer.

Part (a)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2

Student response accurately includes both of the criteria below.

1 point is earned for a straight line graph for that starts at the origin and has a positive slope.
1 point is earned for a continuous graph that is concave up curve for .

Example Response:

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 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

Part (b)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1

Student response accurately includes the criteria below.

1 point is earned for choosing variables for the axes that will generate a straight line graph.

Example Response:

Vertical axis: _____ _______

Horizontal axis: _____ _______

Note: Full credit is earned if the axes are reversed.

Part (c)(i)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes all of the criteria below.

1 point is earned for labeling the axes with an appropriate scale (one that uses more than half the graph)
and units.

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 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

1 point is earned for correctly plotting the data.

1 point is earned for drawing an appropriate best fit line (equal number of points above and below the
line).

Example Response:

Part (c)(ii)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2

Student response accurately includes both of the criteria below.

1 point is earned for correctly calculating the slope from the best fit line and not the data points unless
they are on the line.
1 point is earned for correctly relating the slope to .

Example Response:

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 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

Part (d)(i)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes all of the criteria below.

1 point is earned for drawing an appropriate vector.

1 point is earned for discussion of using right hand rule to determine the direction of the magnetic fields.
1 point is earned for indicating both wires create a magnetic field at point Q that is into the page.

Example Response:

For drawing a vector:

Justification: “Using the right-hand-rule on the both wires it is determined that the magnetic field from both wires is into
the page at point Q. Therefore, the magnetic field at point Q is in the direction”

Part (d)(ii)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2

1 point is earned for correctly substituting into the equation for the force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field.

1 point is earned for adding the expressions for the magnetic fields from the two wires at point .

Example Response:

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 Scoring Guide

Unit 4 Progress Check: FRQ

Part (d)(iii)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2

Student response accurately includes both of the criteria below.

1 point is earned for drawing an appropriate vector.

1 point is earned for a correct justification using the right hand rule.

Example Response:

For drawing a vector:

Justification: “Using the right hand rule on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field, the force on the proton will be
toward the top of the page which is the direction.”

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