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  1. AP Physics C E M
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Compare energy storage in inductors and capacitors.

Inductors store energy in a magnetic field; capacitors store energy in an electric field.

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Compare energy storage in inductors and capacitors.

Inductors store energy in a magnetic field; capacitors store energy in an electric field.

Compare the time constant of an LR circuit to the angular frequency of an LC circuit.

LR circuit time constant: τ=L/R\tau = L/Rτ=L/R. LC circuit angular frequency: ω=1LC\omega = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}ω=LC​1​

Compare the initial behavior of an inductor and a capacitor in a DC circuit.

Initially, an inductor acts like an open circuit, while a capacitor acts like a short circuit.

Compare the formulas for energy stored in an inductor and a capacitor.

Inductor: U=12LI2U = \frac{1}{2}LI^2U=21​LI2. Capacitor: U=12CV2U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2U=21​CV2

Compare LR and LC circuits.

LR circuits exhibit exponential current changes; LC circuits exhibit sinusoidal oscillations.

What happens when current changes in an inductor?

An induced EMF is generated, opposing the change in current.

What happens when a switch is closed in an LR circuit?

The current increases exponentially towards a maximum value, determined by the time constant.

What happens when a switch is opened in an LR circuit?

The current decreases exponentially to zero, determined by the time constant.

What happens when energy is initially stored in the capacitor of an LC circuit?

Energy oscillates between the capacitor and inductor, leading to sinusoidal oscillations in charge and current.

What happens to the energy stored in an inductor if the current is doubled?

The energy stored is quadrupled (since U=12LI2U = \frac{1}{2}LI^2U=21​LI2).

What is an inductor?

A coil of wire that resists changes in current and stores energy in a magnetic field.

Define inductance (L).

The proportionality constant between magnetic flux and current: ΦB=LI\Phi_B = LIΦB​=LI.

What is the unit of inductance?

Henry (H)

What is induced EMF?

The voltage generated in an inductor due to a changing current, opposing the change: ε=−LdIdt\varepsilon = -L \frac{dI}{dt}ε=−LdtdI​.

Define the time constant (τ\tauτ) in an LR circuit.

The time it takes for the current in an LR circuit to reach approximately 63.2% of its maximum value: τ=LR\tau = \frac{L}{R}τ=RL​.

Define angular frequency (ω\omegaω) in an LC circuit.

The rate at which energy oscillates between the capacitor and inductor in an LC circuit: ω=1LC\omega = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}ω=LC​1​.