(a) State, in words, Coulomb’s law.
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(2)
(b) The graph shows how the electric potential, V, varies with , where r is the distance from a
point charge Q.
State what can be deduced from the graph about how V depends on r and explain why all
the values of V on the graph are negative.
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(2)
Page 1 of 17
(c) (i) Use data from the graph to show that the magnitude of Q is about 30 nC.
(2)
(ii) A +60 nC charge is moved from a point where r = 0.20 m to a point where r = 0.50 m.
Calculate the work done.
(2)
work done ................................................... J
(iii) Calculate the electric field strength at the point where r = 0.40 m.
electric field strength .......................................... V m−1
(2)
(Total 10 marks)
(a) (i) Define the electric field strength, E, at a point in an electric field.
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(ii) State whether E is a scalar or a vector quantity.
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(3)
Page 2 of 17
(b) Point charges of +4.0 nC and –8.0 nC are placed 80 mm apart, as shown in the figure
below.
(i) Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted on the +4.0 nC charge by the –8.0 nC
charge.
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(ii) Determine the distance from the +4.0 nC charge to the point, along the straight line
between the charges, where the electric potential is zero.
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(4)
(c) Point P in the figure above is equidistant from the two charges.
(i) Draw two arrows on the figure above at P to represent the directions and relative
magnitudes of the components of the electric field at P due to each of the charges.
(ii) Hence draw an arrow, labelled R, on the figure above at P to represent the direction
of the resultant electric field at P.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)
Page 3 of 17
The force between two point charges is F when they are separated by a distance r. If the
3 separation is increased to 3r what is the force between the charges?
D
(Total 1 mark)
The diagram shows two particles at a distance d apart. One particle has charge +Q and the
other –2Q. The two particles exert an electrostatic force of attraction, F, on each other. Each
particle is then given an additional charge +Q and their separation is increased to a distance of
2d. Which one of the following gives the force that now acts between the two particles?
A an attractive force of
B a repulsive force of
C an attractive force of
D a repulsive force of
(Total 1 mark)
Page 4 of 17
Two protons, each of mass m and charge e, are a distance d apart. Which one of the
5
following expressions correctly gives the ratio for the forces
acting between them?
D
(Total 1 mark)
Two isolated point charges are separated by 0.04 m and attract each other with a force of 20 µN.
6 If the distance between them is increased by 0.04 m, what is the new force of attraction?
A 40 µN
B 20 µN
C 10 µN
D 5 µN
(Total 1 mark)
Page 5 of 17
7
The diagram shows two particles at a distance d apart. One particle has charge +Q and the other
–2Q. The two particles exert an electrostatic force of attraction, F, on each other. Each particle is
then given an additional charge +Q and their separation is increased to a distance 2d.
Which one of the following gives the force that now acts between the two particles?
A an attractive force of
B a repulsive force of
C an attractive force of
D a repulsive force of
(Total 1 mark)
Page 6 of 17
The diagram shows the path of an α particle deflected by the nucleus of an atom. Point P on the
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path is the point of closest approach of the α particle to the nucleus.
Which of the following statements about the α particle on this path is correct?
A Its acceleration is zero at P.
B Its kinetic energy is greatest at P.
C Its potential energy is least at P.
D Its speed is least at P.
(Total 1 mark)
Two protons are 1.0 × 10–14 m apart. Approximately how many times is the electrostatic force
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between them greater than the gravitational force between them?
(Use the Data and Formulae booklet)
A 1023
B 1030
C 1036
D 1042
(Total 1 mark)
Page 7 of 17
A repulsive force F acts between two positive point charges separated by a distance r.
10 What will be the force between them if each charge is doubled and the distance between them is
halved?
A F
B 2F
C 4F
D 16F
(Total 1 mark)
The repulsive force between two small negative charges separated by a distance r is F.
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What is the force between the charges when the separation is reduced to ?
C 3F
D 9F
(Total 1 mark)
Page 8 of 17
The force between two point charges is F when they are separated by a distance r.
12 If the separation is increased to 3r, what is the force between the charges?
(Total 1 mark)
The diagram shows the path of an α particle deflected by the nucleus of an atom. Point P on the
13 path is the point of closest approach of the α particle to the nucleus.
Which one of the following statements about the α particle on this path is correct?
A Its acceleration is zero at P.
B Its kinetic energy is greatest at P.
C Its speed is least at P.
D Its potential energy is least at P.
(Total 1 mark)
Page 9 of 17
(a) State, in words, Coulomb’s law.
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(2)
(b) The diagram below shows two point charges of +4.0 nC and +6.0 nC which are 68 mm
apart.
(i) Sketch on the diagram above the pattern of the electric field surrounding the charges.
(3)
(ii) Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on the +4.0 nC charge.
magnitude of force ................................ N
(2)
Page 10 of 17
(c) (i) Calculate the magnitude of the resultant electric field strength at the mid-point of the
line joining the two charges in the diagram above.
State an appropriate unit for your answer.
electric field strength ................................ unit ...............
(4)
(ii) State the direction of the resultant electric field at the mid-point of the line joining the
charges.
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(1)
(Total 12 marks)
The diagram shows two particles at distance d apart. One particle has charge +Q and the other
15
–2Q. The two particles exert an electrostatic force of attraction, F, on each other. Each particle is
then given an additional charge +Q and their separation is increased to distance 2d.
Which of the following gives the force that now acts between the two particles?
A an attractive force of
B a repulsive force of
C an attractive force of
D a repulsive force of
(Total 1 mark)
Page 11 of 17
Two identical positive point charges, P and Q, separated by a distance r, repel each other with a
16 force F. If r is decreased so that the electrical potential energy of Q is doubled, what is the force
of repulsion?
A 0.5 F
B F
C 2F
D 4F
(Total 1 mark)
Two point charges, X and Y, exert a force F on each other when they are at a distance d apart.
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When the distance between them is 20 mm, the force they exert on each other is 0.5 F.
What is the distance d?
A 7 mm
B 14 mm
C 15 mm
D 28 mm
(Total 1 mark)
Page 12 of 17
Mark schemes
(a) force between two (point) charges is
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proportional to product of charges ✓
inversely proportional to square of distance between the charges ✓
Mention of force is essential, otherwise no marks.
Condone “proportional to charges”.
Do not allow “square of radius” when radius is undefined.
Award full credit for equation with all terms defined.
2
(b) V is inversely proportional to r [or V ∝ (−)1 / r ] ✓
(V has negative values) because charge is negative
[or because force is attractive on + charge placed near it
or because electric potential is + for + charge and − for − charge] ✓
potential is defined to be zero at infinity ✓
Allow V × r = constant for 1st mark.
max 2
(c) (i) Q(= 4πɛ0 rV ) = 4πɛ0 × 0.125 × 2000
OR gradient = Q / 4πɛ0 = 2000 / 8 ✓
(for example, using any pair of values from graph) ✓
= 28 (27.8) (± 1) (nC) ✓
(gives Q = 28 (27.8) ±1 (nC) ✓
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(ii) at r = 0.20m V = −1250V and at r = 0.50m V = −500V
so pd ΔV = −500 − (−1250) = 750 (V) ✓
work done ΔW (= QΔV) = 60 × 10−9 × 750
= 4.5(0) × 10−5 (J) (45 μJ) ✓
(final answer could be between 3.9 and 5.1 × 10−5)
Allow tolerance of ± 50V on graph readings.
[Alternative for 1st mark:
ΔV = (or similar substitution using 60 nC
instead of 27.8 nC:
use of 60 nC gives ΔV = 1620V) ]
2
Page 13 of 17
(iii) = ✓ = 1600 (1560) (V m−1) ✓
[or deduce E = by combining E = with V = ✓
from graph E = = 1600 (1560 ± 130) (V m−1) ✓ ]
Use of Q = 30 nC gives 1690 (V m−1).
Allow ecf from Q value in (i).
If Q = 60 nC is used here, no marks to be awarded.
2
[10]
(a) (i) force per unit charge (1)
2 acting on a positive charge (1)
(ii) vector (1)
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(b) (i) (1)
=4.5(0) × 10–5N (1)
(ii) (use of gives)
or (1)
x = 26.7mm (1)
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Page 14 of 17
(c) correct directions for E4 and E8 (1)
E8 approx twice as long as E4 (1)
correct direction of resultant R
shown (1)
3
[10]
D
3 [1]
A
4 [1]
D
5 [1]
D
6 [1]
A
7 [1]
Page 15 of 17
D
8 [1]
C
9 [1]
D
10 [1]
D
11 [1]
D
12 [1]
C
13 [1]
(a) force between two (point) charges is proportional to (product of) charges
14 and inversely proportional to the square of their distance apart
Formula not acceptable. Accept “charged particles” for charge s.
Accept separation for distance apart.
2
(b) (i) lines with arrows radiating outwards from each charge
more lines associated with 6nC charge than with 4nC
lines start radially and become non-radial with correct curvature
further away from each charge correct asymmetric pattern (with neutral pt closer
to 4nC charge)
3 max
Page 16 of 17
(ii) force
= 4.6(7) × 10−5 (N)
Treat substitution errors such as 10−6(instead of 10−9) as AE with
ECF available.
2
(c) (i) E4 (= 3.11 × 104 V m−1) (to the right)
For both of 1st two marks to be awarded, substitution for either or
both of E4 or E6 (or a substitution in an expression for E6 - E4) must
be shown.
E6 = (4.67 × 104 V m −1) (to the left)
If no substitution is shown, but evaluation is correct for E4 and E6,
award one of 1 st two marks.
Eresultant = (4.67 − 3.11) × 104 = 1.5(6) × 104
Unit: V m−1 (or N C−1)
Use of r = 68 × 10−3 is a physics error with no ECF.
Unit mark is independent.
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(ii) direction: towards 4 nC charge or to the left
1
[12]
A
15 [1]
D
16 [1]
B
17 [1]
Page 17 of 17
