AP® PHYSICS

2012 SCORING GUIDELINES

General Notes About 2012 AP Physics Scoring Guidelines

1. The solutions contain the most common method of solving the free-response questions and the
allocation of points for this solution. Some also contain a common alternate solution. Other methods of
solution also receive appropriate credit for correct work.

2. Generally, double penalty for errors is avoided. For example, if an incorrect answer to part (a) is
correctly substituted into an otherwise correct solution to part (b), full credit will usually be awarded in
part (b). One exception to this practice may occur in cases where the numerical answer to a later part
should easily be recognized as wrong, for example, a speed faster than the speed of light in vacuum.

3. Implicit statements of concepts normally receive credit. For example, if the use of an equation
expressing a particular concept is worth 1 point, and a student’s solution contains the application of
that equation to the problem but the student does not write the basic equation, the point is still
awarded. However, when students are asked to derive an expression, it is normally expected that they
will begin by writing one or more fundamental equations, such as those given on the AP Physics Exam
equation sheets. For a description of the use of such terms as “derive” and “calculate” on the exams,
and what is expected for each, see “The Free-Response Sections — Student Presentation” in the AP
Physics Course Description.

4. The scoring guidelines typically show numerical results using the value g = 9.8 m s 2 , but use of
10 m s 2 is of course also acceptable. Solutions usually show numerical answers using both values
when they are significantly different.

5. Strict rules regarding significant digits are usually not applied to numerical answers. However, in some
cases answers containing too many digits may be penalized. In general, two to four significant digits
are acceptable. Numerical answers that differ from the published answer owing to differences in
rounding throughout the question typically receive full credit. Exceptions to these guidelines usually
occur when rounding makes a difference in obtaining a reasonable answer. For example, suppose a
solution requires subtracting two numbers that should have five significant figures and that differ
starting with the fourth digit (e.g., 20.295 and 20.278). Rounding to three digits will eliminate the level
of accuracy required to determine the difference in the numbers, and some credit may be lost.

© 2012 The College Board.

Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2012 SCORING GUIDELINES

Question 1

15 points total Distribution

of points
(a) 3 points

For an expression of Gauss’s Law 1 point

Qi
⑀0 vÔ E<dA
For a correct intermediate step indicating that the area of the Gaussian surface is 4 pr 2 1 point
Qi
E 4pr 2
⑀0
For a correct final expression, specifically using Qi 1 point
1 Qi k Qi
E r or E r
4 p⑀ 0 r 2 r2

(b) 2 points

For indicating that the enclosed charge is the sum of the inner and outer charges 1 point
Qi  Qo
⑀0 vÔ E<dA
For a correct expression for the electric field 1 point
1 Qi  Qo
E r
4 p⑀ 0 r2

Note: The correct expression by itself earns both points.

(c) 2 points

For using the integral definition of potential in terms of electric field 1 point
r
V r  V‡  Ô E<dr
‡
r
1 Qi  Qo
V r Ô dr
4 p⑀ 0 r2
‡
Qi  Qo Ë 1 Û r
V r  
4 p⑀ 0 ÌÍ r ÜÝ ‡

For the correct expression  1 point

1 Qi  Qo
V r
4 p⑀ 0 r

Note: The correct expression by itself earns both points.

© 2012 The College Board.

Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2012 SCORING GUIDELINES

Question 1 (continued)

Distribution
of points
(c) continued

Alternate solution Alternate points

Outside the shells, the charges on each can be treated as point charges at their centers.
For using the concept of summation of point charge potentials 1 point
qj
Ç
1
V r
4 p⑀ 0 j r j
1 È Qi Qo Ø

4 p⑀ 0 ÉÊ r r ÙÚ
V r

For the correct expression (the correct expression by itself earns both points) 1 point
1 Qi  Qo
V r
4 p⑀ 0 r

(d) 1 point

The answer from part (c), with QT Qi  Qo , can be solved for QT . Values at the outer
shell are then used to determine a numerical value.
For correct work resulting in the correct value, with units 1 point
1 QT
V r , r • 0.20 m
4 p⑀ 0 r
È 0.20 m 100 V Ø
QT 4 p⑀0rV r É 9 2 2 Ù
Ê 9.0 – 10 N< m C Ú
QT 2.2 – 10 9 C

© 2012 The College Board.

Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2012 SCORING GUIDELINES

Question 1 (continued)

Distribution
of points
(e) 3 points

500 N/C

-1000 N/C

-4000 N/C

For a segment indicating an E-field of 0 for r < 0.10 m, explicitly drawn 1 point
For a segment that is concave down and negative for 0.10 m < r < 0.20 m 1 point
For a segment that is concave up and positive for r > 0.20 m. The line must not touch or 1 point
cross the horizontal axis.

Note: The labels on the vertical axis are not to scale and are not required to receive full
credit.

(f) 4 points

100 V

-100 V

For a continuous set of segments that have slope discontinuities at r = 0.10 m and at 1 point
r = 0.20 m
For a segment indicating a constant negative potential for r < 0.10 m 1 point
For a segment that is increasing, concave down, and crosses the r axis, for 1 point
0.10 m < r < 0.20 m
For a segment that is concave up and positive for r > 0.20 m. The line must not touch or 1 point
cross the horizontal axis.

Note: The labels on the vertical axis are not scored and are not required to receive full
credit.

© 2012 The College Board.

Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 © 2012 The College Board.
Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 © 2012 The College Board.
Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 © 2012 The College Board.
Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 © 2012 The College Board.
Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 © 2012 The College Board.
Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 © 2012 The College Board.
Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.
 AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2012 SCORING COMMENTARY

Question 1

Overview

This question assessed students’ understanding of the concepts of electric charge, electric field strength,
and electric potential, and these concepts’ interdependency in the given two-concentric-conducting-
sphere system at various locations.

Sample: E1-A
Score: 13

Full credit was earned in parts (a) through (d). Gauss’s Law is properly used to derive expressions for the
electric field. The potential difference and total charge are correct. One point was lost in part (e) because
the middle segment of the graph should be negative. Another point was lost in part (f) because the middle
segment should not be linear.

Sample: E1-B
Score: 9

In part (a) 2 points were awarded. Although the answer is correct, 1 point was lost for the incorrect
expression of Gauss’s Law. Full credit was earned in part (b); the student had already been penalized for
writing Gauss’s Law incorrectly in part (a). One point was earned in part (c) for beginning the answer with
the idea of a summation of point charge potentials. No credit was awarded in part (d) because the sign is
incorrect and there are no units on the answer. In part (e) full credit was earned. Only 1 point was earned in
part (f) for the correct final segment of the graph.

Sample: E1-C
Score: 6

Full credit was earned in part (a). No credit was awarded in part (b), because the expression for the
enclosed charge is incorrect. Nor were any points earned in part (c), because the student does not
integrate or attempt to sum up point charge potentials. The answer in part (d) is incorrect and earned no
credit. (Note that the student does have the correct answer for the total charge Qo but not for QT .) One
point was awarded in part (e) for the correct final segment of the graph. In part (f) 2 points were earned for
the correct first and last segments, but the middle segment is incorrect, and the graph is not continuous.

© 2012 The College Board.

Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.