Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
University Physics Volume 2

Challenge Problems

University Physics Volume 2Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems

81.

A 10-gauge copper wire has a cross-sectional area A=5.26mm2A=5.26mm2 and carries a current of I=5.00AI=5.00A. The density of copper is ρ=8.95g/cm3ρ=8.95g/cm3. One mole of copper atoms (6.02×1023atoms)(6.02×1023atoms) has a mass of approximately 63.50 g. What is the magnitude of the drift velocity of the electrons, assuming that each copper atom contributes one free electron to the current?

82.

The current through a 12-gauge wire is given as I(t)=(5.00A)sin(2π60Hzt)I(t)=(5.00A)sin(2π60Hzt). What is the current density at time 15.00 ms?

83.

A particle accelerator produces a beam with a radius of 1.25 mm with a current of 2.00 mA. Each proton has a kinetic energy of 10.00 MeV. (a) What is the velocity of the protons? (b) What is the number (n) of protons per unit volume? (b) How many electrons pass a cross sectional area each second?

84.

In this chapter, most examples and problems involved direct current (DC). DC circuits have the current flowing in one direction, from positive to negative. When the current was changing, it was changed linearly from I=−ImaxI=−Imax to I=+ImaxI=+Imax and the voltage changed linearly from V=−VmaxV=−Vmax to V=+VmaxV=+Vmax, where Vmax=ImaxRVmax=ImaxR. Suppose a voltage source is placed in series with a resistor of R=10ΩR=10Ω that supplied a current that alternated as a sine wave, for example, I(t)=(3.00A)sin(2π4.00st)I(t)=(3.00A)sin(2π4.00st). (a) What would a graph of the voltage drop across the resistor V(t) versus time look like? (b) What would a plot of V(t) versus I(t) for one period look like? (Hint: If you are not sure, try plotting V(t) versus I(t) using a spreadsheet.)

85.

A current of I=25AI=25A is drawn from a 100-V battery for 30 seconds. By how much is the chemical energy reduced?

86.

Consider a square rod of material with sides of length L=3.00cmL=3.00cm with a current density of J→=J0eαxk^=(0.35Am2)e(2.1×10−3m−1)xk^J→=J0eαxk^=(0.35Am2)e(2.1×10−3m−1)xk^ as shown below. Find the current that passes through the face of the rod.

87.

A resistor of an unknown resistance is placed in an insulated container filled with 0.75 kg of water. A voltage source is connected in series with the resistor and a current of 1.2 amps flows through the resistor for 10 minutes. During this time, the temperature of the water is measured and the temperature change during this time is ΔT=10.00°CΔT=10.00°C. (a) What is the resistance of the resistor? (b) What is the voltage supplied by the power supply?

88.

The charge that flows through a point in a wire as a function of time is modeled as q(t)=q0e−t/T=10.0Ce−t/5sq(t)=q0e−t/T=10.0Ce−t/5s. (a) What is the initial current through the wire at time t=0.00st=0.00s? (b) Find the current at time t=12Tt=12T. (c) At what time t will the current be reduced by one-half I=12I0I=12I0?

89.

Consider a resistor made from a hollow cylinder of carbon as shown below. The inner radius of the cylinder is Ri=0.20mmRi=0.20mm and the outer radius is R0=0.30mmR0=0.30mm. The length of the resistor is L=0.90mmL=0.90mm. The resistivity of the carbon is ρ=3.5×10−5Ω·mρ=3.5×10−5Ω·m. (a) Prove that the resistance perpendicular from the axis is R=ρ2πLln(R0Ri).R=ρ2πLln(R0Ri). (b) What is the resistance?

90.

What is the current through a cylindrical wire of radius R=0.1mmR=0.1mm if the current density is J=J0RrJ=J0Rr, where J0=32000Am2?J0=32000Am2?

91.

A student uses a 100.00-W, 115.00-V radiant heater to heat the student’s dorm room, during the hours between sunset and sunrise, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (a) What current does the heater operate at? (b) How many electrons move through the heater? (c) What is the resistance of the heater? (d) How much heat was added to the dorm room?

92.

A 12-V car battery is used to power a 20.00-W, 12.00-V lamp during the physics club camping trip/star party. The cable to the lamp is 2.00 meters long, 14-gauge copper wire with a charge density of n=9.50×1028m−3n=9.50×1028m−3. (a) What is the current draw by the lamp? (b) How long would it take an electron to get from the battery to the lamp?

93.

A physics student uses a 115.00-V immersion heater to heat 400.00 grams (almost two cups) of water for herbal tea. During the two minutes it takes the water to heat, the physics student becomes bored and decides to figure out the resistance of the heater. The student starts with the assumption that the water is initially at the temperature of the room Ti=25.00°CTi=25.00°C and reaches Tf=100.00°CTf=100.00°C. The specific heat of the water is c=4180Jkg∙Kc=4180Jkg∙K. What is the resistance of the heater?

Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jun 11, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.