CIE A Level Physics

Topic Questions

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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18.1 Electric Fields

1
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2 marks

State Coulomb’s law.

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2a
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2 marks

State what is represented by an electric field line.

 
2b
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3 marks

Two point charges A and B are placed 0.014 mm apart as shown in Fig. 1.1. 

18-1-2b-m-charges-and-distance-for-coulombs-law-sq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.1
 

The charge of A is +3.1 nC and the charge of B is −6.2 nC. The charges have the following radii: 

 rA = 3.2 pm
 rB = 4.1 pm
 

Determine the magnitude of the force between the two charges.

2c
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2 marks

The magnitude of the electric forces between the charges is very high. 

State and explain why this is the case. 
2d
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5 marks
(i)
Draw arrows on Fig. 1.1 to show the direction of the electrostatic force coming from charges A and B.
[2]
 
(ii)
Particle B is replaced by particle C. Particle C has a charge of +6.2 nC. 
 
Describe how the electrostatic force between charges A and C will be different to that between A and B. 
[2]
 
(iii)
A positron is placed at point Y, equidistant from both A and B, as shown in Fig. 1.2.
18-1-2d-m-coulombs-law-positron-sq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.2
 
On Fig. 1.2 draw an arrow representing the direction of the resultant force acting on the positron.
[1]

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3a
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2 marks

State what is indicated by the direction of the electric field line.

 
3b
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3 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a pair of parallel metal plates with a potential difference (p.d.) of 3500 V between them.

 18-1-3b-m-metal-plates-electric-fields-sq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.1
  
The plates are separated by a distance of 4.6 cm. The plates are in a vacuum. 
 
On Fig. 1.1, draw five lines to represent the electric field in the region between the plates. 
3c
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2 marks

Calculate the strength of the electric field between the plates.

 
 
electric field strength = .................................... N C−1 
3d
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2 marks

A moving electron eneters the region between the plates from the left, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

  
 18-1-3d-m-metal-plates-electron-sq-cie-a-level
Fig. 1.2
 
The electron is deflected by the electric field.
 
On Fig. 1.2, draw a line to show the path of the electron as it moves through and out of the region of the electric field.

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