1. The diagram below shows a uniform electric field of strength E. The field is in a vacuum.

An electron enters the field with a velocity v in the direction shown. The electron is moving in
the plane of the paper. The path followed by the electron will be

A. parabolic.

B. in the direction of E.

C. in the direction of v.

D. circular.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 1
2. This question is about electric charge and resistance.

(a) A plastic rod XY is held at end X. The end Y is rubbed with a piece of cloth and, as a
result, the end Y becomes electrically charged.

The procedure is now repeated using a copper rod and it is found that the copper rod
remains electrically neutral. Explain these observations in terms of the properties of
conductors and insulators.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(5)

IB Questionbank Physics 2
(b) Two plastic rods each have a positive charge +q situated at one end. The rods are
arranged as shown.

Assume that the charge at the end of each rod behaves as a point charge. Draw, in the
shaded area on the diagram

(i) the electric field pattern due to the two charges.

(2)

(ii) a line to represent an equipotential surface. Label the line with the letter V.
(1)

(c) A resistor of resistance 1.5 Ω is made from copper wire of radius 0.18 mm. The resistivity
–8
of copper is 1.7 × 10 Ω m. Determine the length of copper wire used to make the
resistor.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 3
(d) The manufacturer of the resistor in (c) guarantees that the resistance is within 10 % of 1.5
Ω , provided that the power dissipation in the resistor does not exceed 1.0 W.

(i) Suggest why the resistance of the resistor might be greater than 1.65 Ω if the power
dissipation in the resistor is greater than 1.0 W.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Show that, for a power dissipation of 1.0 W, the current in a resistor of resistance
1.5 Ω is 0.82 A.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 4
 (iii) The 1.5 Ω resistor is connected in series with a variable resistor and battery of emf
6.0 V and internal resistance 1.8 Ω.

Estimate the resistance R of the variable resistor that will limit the current to
0.82 A.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 16 marks)

3. The weight of an object of mass 1 kg at the surface of Mars is about 4 N. The radius of Mars is
about half the radius of Earth. Which of the following is the best estimate of the ratio below?

mass of Mars
mass of Earth

A. 0.1

B. 0.2

C. 5

D. 10
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 5
4. Three positive point charges of equal magnitude are held at the corners X, Y and Z of a right-
angled triangle. The point P is at the midpoint of XY. Which of the arrows shows the direction
of the electric field at point P?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 6
5. An electron travelling in the direction shown by the arrow X, enters a region of uniform
magnetic field. It leaves the region of field in the direction shown by the arrow Y.

The direction of the magnetic field is

A. in the direction of X.

B. into the plane of the paper.

C. in the opposite direction to X.

D. out of the plane of the paper.

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 7
6. The diagram shows two parallel metal plates X and Y.

Plate X is at Earth potential (0 V) and the potential of plate Y is V0.

Which of the following is correct in respect of the magnitude and the direction of the electric
field between the plates?

Magnitude Direction
A. constant X→Y
B. increasing Y→X
C. constant Y→X
D. increasing X→Y
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 8
7. The radius of a charged spherical conductor is R. Which of the following graphs best shows
how the magnitude of the electrical field strength E varies with distance r from the centre of the
sphere?

(Total 1 mark)

8. Which of the following gives the acceleration of an electron of electric charge e and mass m in a
uniform electric field of strength E?

A. E

B. Ee

Ee
C. m

m
D. Ee
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 9
9. A particle, of mass m and charge q, moves with velocity v perpendicularly to a magnetic field.
The magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the particle at a particular point is F. Which of
the following gives the magnitude of the magnetic field strength at that point?

F
A. q

F
B. m

F
C. 

F
D. q
(Total 1 mark)

10. This question is about electric and gravitational fields

(a) State, in terms of electrons, the difference between a conductor and an insulator.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Suggest why there must be an electric field inside a current-carrying conductor.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 10
 –1
(c) The magnitude of the electric field strength inside a conductor is 55 N C . Calculate the
force on a free electron in the conductor.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) The electric force between two point charges is a fundamental force as is the gravitational
force between two point masses. State one similarity between these two forces and one
difference (other than the fact that one applies to charge and the other to mass).

Similarity: ...................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

Difference: ..................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(e) The force on a mass of 1.0 kg falling freely near the surface of Jupiter is 25 N. The radius
7
of Jupiter is 7.0 × 10 m.

(i) State the value of the magnitude of the gravitational field strength at the surface of
Jupiter.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

27
(ii) Calculate that the mass of Jupiter is about 1.8 × 10 kg.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

11. Which of the following is true about gravitational field lines?

IB Questionbank Physics 11
 A. They are always tangential to equipotential surfaces.

B. They are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.

C. They can be both tangential or perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.

D. They can have any angle to the equipotential surfaces.

(Total 1 mark)

12. Which of the following is true about the gravitational potential V due to a point mass at a
distance r from the point mass?

1

A. V r and always positive

1

B. V r and always negative

1

C. V r 2 and always positive

1

D. V r 2 and always positive
(Total 1 mark)

13. An astronaut in orbit around Earth is said to be “weightless”. This is due to the fact that the

A. gravitational force on the astronaut is zero.

B. astronaut and the spacecraft experience the same acceleration.

C. astronaut and the spacecraft experience the same gravitational force.

D. gravitational field at the position of the spacecraft is zero.

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 12
14. This question is about electric fields and electrical resistance.

(a) State, in terms of electrons, the difference between a conductor and an insulator.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Suggest why there must be an electric field inside a current-carrying conductor.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

–1
(c) The magnitude of the electric field strength inside a conductor is 55 N C . Calculate the
force on a free electron in the conductor.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) Define resistance.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 13
(e) A resistor made from a metal oxide has a resistance of 1.5 Ω. The resistor is in the form
–2 –3
of a cylinder of length 2.2 × 10 m and radius 1.2 × 10 m. Calculate the resistivity of
the metal oxide.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(f) The manufacturer of the resistor in (e) guarantees its resistance to be within ±10 % of
1.5 Ω provided the power dissipation in the resistor does not exceed 1.0 W. Calculate the
maximum current in the resistor for the power dissipation to be equal to 1.0 W.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(g) Three of the resistors in (f) are connected in the circuit below.

The cell has an emf of 2.0 V and negligible internal resistance.

IB Questionbank Physics 14
 (i) Define emf.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Determine the minimum and the maximum power that could be dissipated in this
circuit.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 14 marks)

15. A current is established in a coil of wire in the direction shown.

The direction of the magnetic field at point P is

A. out of the plane of the paper.

B. into the plane of the paper.

C. to the left.

D. to the right.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 15
16. Which arrangement of three point charges at the corner of an equilateral triangle will result in a
zero electric field strength at the centre of the triangle, point P?

(Total 1 mark)

17. The mass of a planet is twice that of Earth. Its radius is half that of the radius of Earth. The
gravitational field strength at the surface of Earth is g. The gravitational field strength at the
surface of the planet is

1
g
A. 2 .

B. g.

C. 2g.

D. 8g.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 16
18. An electron enters the vacuum between two oppositely charged plates with velocity v. The
electron is followed by an alpha particle moving with the same initial velocity as the electron. A
uniform magnetic field is directed out of the plane of the paper.

The electron’s path is undeflected. The path of the alpha particle will be

A. deflected out of the plane of the paper.

B. undeflected.

C. deflected upward.

D. deflected downward.
(Total 1 mark)

19. This question is about a lightning discharge.

(a) Define electric field strength.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 17
(b) A thundercloud can be modelled as a negatively charged plate that is parallel to the
ground.

The magnitude of the charge on the plate increases due to processes in the atmosphere.
Eventually a current discharges from the thundercloud to the ground.

On the diagram, draw the electric field pattern between the thundercloud base and the
ground.
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 18
(c) The magnitude of the electric field strength E between two infinite charged parallel plates
is given by the expression


E = 0

where σ is the charge per unit area on one of the plates.

A thundercloud carries a charge of magnitude 35 C spread over its base. The area of the
7 2
base is 1.2 × 10 m .

(i) Determine the magnitude of the electric field between the base of the thundercloud
and the ground.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) State two assumptions made in (c)(i).

1. .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

2. .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 19
 (iii) When the thundercloud discharges, the average discharge current is 1.8 kA.
Estimate the discharge time.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(iv) The potential difference between the thundercloud and the ground before discharge
8
is 2.5 × 10 V. Determine the energy released in the discharge.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 17 marks)

20. This question is about a lightning discharge.

(a) Define electric field strength.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 20
(b) A thundercloud can be modelled as a negatively charged plate that is parallel to the
ground.

The magnitude of the charge on the plate increases due to processes in the atmosphere.
Eventually a current discharges from the thundercloud to the ground.

On the diagram, draw the electric field pattern between the thundercloud base and the
ground.
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 21
(c) The current discharges when the magnitude of the electric field between the ground and
–1
the thundercloud base is 0.33 MN C . The thundercloud base is 750 m above the ground.

(i) Calculate, just before discharge, the potential difference between the thundercloud
base and the ground.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) The potential difference V, between the thundercloud base and the ground, is given
by

Qd
V = A 0

where Q is the charge on the thundercloud base, A is the area of the base, and d is
7 2
the distance between the base and the ground. The area of the base is 1.2 × 10 m .

Calculate, just before discharge, the charge on the base of the thundercloud.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 22
 (iii) Determine the energy released in the discharge.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 14 marks)

21. This question is about the gravitational field of Mars.

(a) Define gravitational potential energy of a mass at a point.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 23
(b) The graph shows the variation with distance r from the centre of Mars of the gravitational
potential V. R is the radius of Mars which is 3.3 Mm. (Values of V for r < R are not
shown.)

4
A rocket of mass 1.2 × 10 kg lifts off from the surface of Mars. Use the graph to

(i) calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the rocket at a distance 4R
from the centre of Mars.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 24
 (ii) show that the magnitude of the gravitational field strength at a distance 4R from the
–1
centre of Mars is 0.23 N kg .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Use the answer to (b)(ii) to show that the magnitude of the gravitational field strength at
–1
the surface of Mars is 3.7 N kg .

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

–1
(d) The gravitational potential at the surface of Earth is –63 MJ kg . Without any further
calculation, compare the escape speed required to leave the surface of Earth with that of
the escape speed required to leave the surface of Mars.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 25
22. The mass of Earth is ME, its radius is RE and the magnitude of the gravitational field strength at
g
the surface of Earth is g. The universal gravitational constant is G. The ratio G is equal to

ME

A. R E2

R E2
B. ME

C. MERE

D. 1
(Total 1 mark)

23. Which diagram best represents the electric field due to a negatively charged conducting sphere?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 26
24. A point mass carries a positive charge +Q and is at rest in a magnetic field. The field is in the
direction shown.

The magnetic force acting on the charge is

A. from left to right in the plane of the page.

B. from top to bottom in the plane of the page.

C. into the plane of the page.

D. zero.
(Total 1 mark)

25. This question is about electric fields and electric circuits.

(a) Two parallel, charged metal plates A and B are in a vacuum.

At a particular instant an electron is at point P.

On the diagram, draw

(i) the electric field pattern due to the plates.

(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 27
 (ii) an arrow to represent the direction of the force on the electron at P.
(1)

14 –2
(b) The acceleration of the electron at P is 8.8 × 10 m s . Determine the magnitude of the
electric field strength at the point P.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

–17
(c) The electric potential energy of the electron changes by 1.9 × 10 J as it moves from
one plate to the other. Show that the potential difference between the plates is 120 V.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) A resistor R and a filament lamp L are connected in series with a battery. The battery has
an emf of 12 V and internal resistance 4.0 Ω. The potential difference across the filament
of the lamp is 3.0 V and the current in the filament is 0.25 A.

IB Questionbank Physics 28
(i) Define emf and describe the concept of internal resistance.

emf:

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

Internal resistance:

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Calculate the total power supplied by the battery.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) Calculate the power dissipated in the external circuit.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iv) Determine the resistance of the resistor R.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 16 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 29
26. A current carrying wire is in the same plane as a uniform magnetic field. The angle between the
wire and the magnetic field is θ.

The magnetic force on the current carrying wire is

A. zero.

B. into the plane of the paper.

C. out of the plane of the paper.

D. at an angle θ to the direction of the magnetic field.

(Total 1 mark)

27. This question is about electric fields and electric circuits.

(a) Two parallel, charged metal plates A and B are in a vacuum.

At a particular instant an electron is at point P.

IB Questionbank Physics 30
 On the diagram, draw

(i) the electric field pattern due to the plates.

(3)

(ii) an arrow to represent the direction of the force on the electron at P.

(1)

14 –2
(b) The acceleration of the electron at P is 8.8× 10 m s . Determine the magnitude of the
electric field strength at the point P.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

–17
(c) The electric potential energy of the electron changes by 1.9 × 10 J as it moves from
one plate to the other. Show that the potential difference between the plates is 120 V.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 31
(d) A resistor R and a filament lamp L are connected in series with a battery. The battery has
an emf of 12 V and internal resistance 4.0 Ω. The potential difference across the filament
of the lamp is 3.0 V and the current in the filament is 0.25 A.

(i) Calculate the total power supplied by the battery.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Calculate the power dissipated in the external circuit.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 32
 (iii) Determine the resistance of the resistor R.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 14 marks)

28. The gravitational force between two unit masses separated by a distance r is Fg. The electric
force between two unit charges separated by a distance r is Fe. The Coulomb constant is k and
the universal gravitational constant is G. The ratio Fg / Fe is

A. one.

k
B. G.

G
C. k .

D. Gk.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 33
29. A hollow metallic sphere is negatively charged. Which of the following correctly represents the
electric field?

(Total 1 mark)

30. In the diagram, a long current-carrying wire is normal to the plane of the paper. The current in
the wire is directed into the plane of the paper.

Which of the arrows gives the direction of the magnetic field at point P?

A. W

B. X

C. Y

D. Z
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 34
31. This question is about force fields.

(a) Outline what is meant by a field of force.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Five particles A to E are each placed in a different type of field. Complete the table to
identify the nature of the field in which each particle is situated.

Charge on Initial direction of Direction of

Particle Type of field
particle motion of particle force on particle

in direction of
A uncharged stationary
field .....................................
along direction of opposite to
B negative
field direction of field .....................................
normal to direction normal to
C positive
of field direction of field .....................................
normal to direction in direction of
D positive
of field field .....................................
opposite to direction in direction of
E uncharged
of field field .....................................
(5)
(Total 7 marks)

32. This question is about force fields.

(a) Outline what is meant by a field of force.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 35
 (b) Three particles A, B, and C are each placed in a different type of field. Complete the table
to identify the nature of the field in which each particle is situated.

Charge on Initial direction of Direction of

Particle Type of field
particle motion of particle force on particle

in direction of
A uncharged stationary
field .....................................
along direction of opposite to
B negative
field direction of field .....................................
normal to direction normal to
C positive
of field direction of field .....................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

33. This question is about motion of a charged particle in an electric field.

(a) An α-particle of mass 4u and charge +2e is accelerated from rest in a vacuum through a
potential difference of 2.4 kV. Show that the final speed of the α-particle is
5 –1
4.8 × 10 m s .

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 36
(b) The α-particle is travelling in a direction parallel to and mid-way between two parallel
metal plates.

(not to scale)

The metal plates are of length 2.4 cm and their separation is 0.80 cm. The potential
difference between the plates is 600 V. The electric field is uniform in the region between
the plates and is zero outside this region.

(i) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field between the plates.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Show that the magnitude of the acceleration of the α-particle by the electric field is
12 –2
3.6 × 10 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) (i) Calculate the time taken for the α-particle to travel a horizontal distance of 2.4 cm
parallel to the plates.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 37
 (ii) Use your answers in (b)(ii) and (c)(i) to deduce whether, as the α-particle passes
between the plates, it will hit one of the plates.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

34. A small sphere X of mass M is placed a distance d from a point mass. The gravitational force on
sphere X is 90 N. Sphere X is removed and a second sphere Y of mass 4M is placed a distance
3d from the same point mass. The gravitational force on sphere Y is

A. 480 N.

B. 160 N.

C. 120 N.

D. 40 N.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 38
35. Which of the following diagrams illustrates the electric field pattern of a negatively charged
sphere?

(Total 1 mark)

36. A positively charged particle enters the space between two charged conducting plates, with a
constant velocity directed parallel to the plates, as shown.

The top plate is positively charged and the bottom plate is negatively charged. There is a
magnetic field in the shaded region PQRS. The particle continues to move in a horizontal
straight line between the plates. Which of the following correctly describes the magnetic field
direction?

A. Into plane of paper

B. Out of plane of paper

C. Up

D. Down
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 39
37. This question is about gravitational and electric fields.

(a) The equation for the magnitude of the gravitational field strength due to a point mass may
be written as below.

KX
2
Y= s

The equation for the magnitude of the electric field strength can also be written in the
same form.

In the table identify the symbols used in the equation.

Symbol Gravitational field quantity Electrical field quantity

Y
K
X
s
(4)

(b) The magnitude of the electrostatic force between the proton and electron in a hydrogen
atom is FE. The magnitude of the gravitational force between them is FG.

FE
Determine the ratio FG .

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 40
38. Four point charges of magnitudes +q, +q, –q, and –q are held in place at the corners of a square
of side r.

The Coulomb constant is k. Which of the following is the electrical potential at the centre of the
square O?

A. 0

4kq
B. r

4kq 2
C. r

 4kq 2
D. r2
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 41