When a complete traversal is made around any single closed conducting loop
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Circuits · Electric Circuits
Problem
When a complete traversal is made around any single closed conducting loop, a student plots the electric potential as a function of position along the path and begins the graph at 0 V. Which statement best describes how the graph must behave if Kirchhoff’s loop rule is satisfied?
(a) The graph must increase to the algebraic sum of the battery emfs and stay at that value for the rest of the loop.
(b) The graph may vary but must return to 0 V when the loop is completed.
(c) The graph must remain at 0 V everywhere along the loop because the conductors are equipotential surfaces.
(d) The graph must decrease steadily, ending at a negative value equal to the total IR drop around the loop.