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100+ Free AP Physics C: E&M Practice Questions

Pass your AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Key Facts: AP Physics C: E&M Exam

40

multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes (50% of score)

College Board

4

free-response questions in 100 minutes (50% of score)

College Board

4 options

per multiple-choice question after the 2024-25 redesign

College Board CED

6 units

numbered 8 through 13, from electrostatics to induction

College Board CED

1-5

score scale; a 3 or higher typically earns college credit

College Board

$99

standard U.S. exam fee for 2025-26, fee reductions available

College Board

May 14, 2026

date of the 2026 AP Physics C: E&M exam

College Board

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based exam with 40 multiple-choice questions (80 minutes) and 4 free-response questions (100 minutes), each section counting for 50% of the score, for a total of 3 hours. After the 2024-25 redesign, multiple-choice questions have 4 answer options and the exam is no longer co-scheduled with AP Physics C: Mechanics. The exam is scored 1-5, with a 3 or higher generally earning college credit. The standard U.S. fee is $99, with fee reductions available. The 2026 exam is administered Thursday, May 14, 2026 (source: College Board, apstudents.collegeboard.org).

Sample AP Physics C: E&M Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AP Physics C: E&M exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Two point charges of +2.0 microcoulombs and +8.0 microcoulombs are separated by 0.30 m in vacuum. What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between them? (k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2)
A.1.6 N
B.0.16 N
C.16 N
D.0.48 N
Explanation: Coulomb's law gives F = k q1 q2 / r^2 = (8.99e9)(2.0e-6)(8.0e-6)/(0.30)^2. The numerator is 8.99e9 x 1.6e-11 = 0.1438, and dividing by 0.09 gives about 1.6 N. Both charges are positive, so the force is repulsive.
2A solid conducting sphere carries a net charge Q. Using Gauss's law, what is the electric field at a point inside the conductor (at radius r less than the sphere's radius R) in electrostatic equilibrium?
A.kQ/r^2 directed radially outward
B.kQ/R^2, constant everywhere inside
C.Zero
D.kQ/r, directed radially inward
Explanation: In electrostatic equilibrium, the field inside a conductor must be zero, otherwise free charges would continue to move. A Gaussian surface drawn inside the conducting material encloses no net charge because all excess charge resides on the outer surface, so by Gauss's law the enclosed field is zero.
3An infinite line of charge has uniform linear charge density lambda. Using Gauss's law with a cylindrical surface, the electric field at distance r from the line is:
A.lambda / (2 pi epsilon0 r)
B.lambda / (4 pi epsilon0 r^2)
C.lambda r / (2 epsilon0)
D.lambda / (epsilon0 r^2)
Explanation: For an infinite line, a coaxial cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and length L encloses charge lambda L. Flux is E times the curved area 2 pi r L, so E(2 pi r L) = lambda L / epsilon0, giving E = lambda / (2 pi epsilon0 r). The field falls off as 1/r, not 1/r^2.
4An infinite plane of charge has uniform surface charge density sigma. The magnitude of the electric field a small distance from the plane is:
A.sigma / (2 epsilon0)
B.sigma / epsilon0
C.sigma / (4 pi epsilon0)
D.sigma r / epsilon0
Explanation: A Gaussian pillbox piercing the plane has flux through both end caps, each of area A: total flux = 2EA. The enclosed charge is sigma A, so 2EA = sigma A / epsilon0, giving E = sigma / (2 epsilon0). The field is uniform and independent of distance from the plane.
5Electric flux through a closed surface is defined by the integral of E dot dA. According to Gauss's law, this total flux equals:
A.The enclosed charge divided by epsilon0
B.The product of the field magnitude and the surface area
C.The enclosed charge times epsilon0
D.Zero for any closed surface
Explanation: Gauss's law states that the net electric flux through any closed surface equals the net charge enclosed divided by the permittivity of free space: Phi = Q_enclosed / epsilon0. The flux depends only on enclosed charge, not on charges outside the surface or the surface's exact shape.
6A point charge +q sits at the center of a cube. What is the electric flux through one face of the cube?
A.q / (6 epsilon0)
B.q / epsilon0
C.q / (4 epsilon0)
D.Zero
Explanation: By Gauss's law, the total flux through the entire closed cube is q/epsilon0. By symmetry, the charge at the center distributes flux equally through all six identical faces, so each face carries one-sixth of the total: q/(6 epsilon0).
7The electric field a distance r from a point charge q is given by which expression?
A.q / (4 pi epsilon0 r^2)
B.q / (4 pi epsilon0 r)
C.q^2 / (4 pi epsilon0 r^2)
D.4 pi epsilon0 q / r^2
Explanation: The electric field of a point charge is E = q / (4 pi epsilon0 r^2) = kq/r^2, directed radially. The 1/r^2 dependence reflects the inverse-square nature of the Coulomb interaction, and the constant 1/(4 pi epsilon0) equals k.
8A nonconducting solid sphere of radius R has uniform volume charge density rho. Using Gauss's law, the electric field at a point inside the sphere at radius r (r less than R) is proportional to:
A.r
B.1/r^2
C.1/r
D.Constant, independent of r
Explanation: Inside a uniformly charged sphere, a Gaussian sphere of radius r encloses charge proportional to r^3 (the enclosed volume). Gauss's law gives E(4 pi r^2) = rho(4/3 pi r^3)/epsilon0, so E = rho r/(3 epsilon0), which is proportional to r. The field grows linearly from zero at the center.
9Two charges, +3q and -q, are fixed in place. At a point along the line connecting them, where is it possible for the net electric field to be zero?
A.Between the two charges
B.Beyond the +3q charge, on the side away from -q
C.Beyond the -q charge, on the side away from +3q
D.Nowhere along the line
Explanation: A null point requires equal-magnitude opposing fields, which only occurs in the region closer to the smaller-magnitude charge (-q). On the side beyond -q, the point can be near enough to the weaker charge that its field balances the stronger but more distant +3q. Between the charges, both fields point the same way and cannot cancel.
10An electric dipole consists of charges +q and -q separated by distance d. The dipole moment p has magnitude:
A.q/d
B.q d^2
C.qd
D.2q/d
Explanation: The electric dipole moment is defined as p = qd, the product of the magnitude of one charge and the separation distance, pointing from the negative to the positive charge. This quantity determines the torque (p x E) and potential energy (-p dot E) of the dipole in a uniform field.

About the AP Physics C: E&M Exam

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based, college-level introductory physics course administered by the College Board. Following the 2024-25 redesign, the exam has 40 multiple-choice questions (80 minutes) and 4 free-response questions (100 minutes), each section worth 50% of the score. The course covers six units numbered 8 through 13: electrostatics and Gauss's law, electric potential, conductors and capacitors, electric circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetism, and electromagnetic induction.

Questions

40 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours (80 min multiple-choice + 100 min free-response)

Passing Score

Scored 1-5; a 3 or higher typically earns college credit

Exam Fee

$99 (U.S.) (College Board)

AP Physics C: E&M Exam Content Outline

15-25%

Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss's Law

Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric flux, and Gauss's law applied to symmetric charge distributions.

10-20%

Electric Potential

Electric potential energy and potential, the field-potential gradient relationship, and equipotentials.

10-15%

Conductors and Capacitors

Conductors in equilibrium, capacitance, dielectrics, and energy stored in capacitors.

15-25%

Electric Circuits

Current, resistance, EMF, Kirchhoff's rules, series/parallel networks, and RC circuit transients.

10-20%

Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism

Magnetic forces, the Biot-Savart law, and Ampere's law for wires and solenoids.

10-20%

Electromagnetic Induction

Magnetic flux, Faraday's and Lenz's laws, motional EMF, inductance, and RL circuits.

How to Pass the AP Physics C: E&M Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scored 1-5; a 3 or higher typically earns college credit
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours (80 min multiple-choice + 100 min free-response)
  • Exam fee: $99 (U.S.)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AP Physics C: E&M Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the calculus tools first: line and surface integrals for Gauss's law and integrals over charge distributions for fields and potential.
2Use Gauss's law only for high-symmetry cases (spherical, cylindrical, planar); for arbitrary distributions, integrate the contributions directly.
3Memorize the sign conventions for EMF, Lenz's law, and Kirchhoff's rules - most circuit and induction errors are sign errors.
4Practice the standard RC and RL transient forms (exponential charging/decay) and know the time constants tau = RC and tau = L/R.
5Work past free-response questions under timed conditions and use the official equation sheet so you know what is and is not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AP Physics C: E&M exam?

The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions answered in 80 minutes and 4 free-response questions answered in 100 minutes. Each section is worth 50% of the total score, and the full exam runs about 3 hours.

Is AP Physics C: E&M calculus-based?

Yes. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is calculus-based and expects students to use differentiation and integration, for example when applying Gauss's law to charge distributions or analyzing transient RC and RL circuits.

What changed in the 2024-25 redesign?

Multiple-choice questions now have 4 answer options instead of 5, the multiple-choice section grew to 80 minutes and the free-response section to 100 minutes, and the exam is no longer co-scheduled with AP Physics C: Mechanics. Units are numbered 8 through 13.

How is AP Physics C: E&M scored and what counts as passing?

The exam is scored on the AP 1-5 scale. There is no official passing score, but many colleges grant credit for a 3 or higher, and selective programs may require a 4 or 5.

How much does the AP Physics C: E&M exam cost?

The standard exam fee is $99 at schools in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada, and DoDEA schools for 2025-26. Eligible students can receive a fee reduction, and the international fee is higher.

When is the 2026 AP Physics C: E&M exam?

The College Board administers the 2026 AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 12 p.m. local time.