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AP Physics C: E&M
13.5 Circuits with Resistors and Inductors (LR Circuits)
13.4 Inductance
IntermediateMCQMathematicalProportional AnalysisConceptual16.6k
Two separate rectangular circuit schematics drawn side-by-side in grayscale, labeled Circuit 1 on the left and Circuit 2 on the right. Circuit 1 consists of a single loop with an ideal battery of emf \(\mathcal{E}_0\) on the left vertical branch, a single-pole double-throw switch at the top, an inductor of inductance \(L_0\) depicted as four rounded semicircular loops on the right vertical branch, and a resistor of resistance \(R_0\) depicted as four sharp zig-zags on the bottom horizontal branch. Circuit 2 has an identical rectangular topology to the right, showing an ideal battery of emf \(\mathcal{E}_0\) on the left vertical branch, a switch at the top, an inductor labeled \(2L_0\) on the right vertical branch, and a resistor labeled \(2R_0\) on the bottom branch. No other labels, text, lines, or meters appear.
Schematics of Circuit 1 and Circuit 2.
Circuit 1 contains an inductor of inductance \(L_0\) and a resistor of resistance \(R_0\), while Circuit 2 contains an inductor of inductance \(2L_0\) and a resistor of resistance \(2R_0\). Both circuits are connected to identical ideal batteries of electromotive force \(\mathcal{E}_0\) for a time \(t \gg \tau\), where \(\tau = \dfrac{L_0}{R_0}\) is their common inductive time constant. At time \(t = 0\), the battery in each circuit is instantaneously removed and replaced with an ideal conducting wire, allowing each inductor to discharge through its connected resistor. Which circuit initially stores a greater magnetic energy just before \(t = 0\), and which circuit experiences a greater peak rate of Joule heating in its resistor during the discharge?

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