Electric field strength: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.7.3.2 Electric field strength, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 82 questions on Electric field strength, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.4 (3 marks): An electric field of strength 371 μV m−1 can also accelerate the ion. Calculate the acceleration of the ion due to this electric field. [3 marks] acceleration =
June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.5 (3 marks): The plasma torus contains two ions X and Y as shown in Figure 8. X has a charge of +2e. Y has a charge of +1e. Assume that each ion acts as a point charge. Figu
June 2025, Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): Two charged metal spheres have charges +Q and −q. The magnitude of +Q is greater than the magnitude of −q. In which diagram are the electric field lines correct
June 2025, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): The diagram shows point charges Q and q. Q and q have charges of opposite sign. The magnitude of the charge of Q is greater than the magnitude of the charge of
June 2025, Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): The diagram shows two parallel conducting plates at potentials of −20 V and −10 V. The displacement x is measured from the bottom (−20 V) plate. Which graph sho
June 2024, Paper 2, Q06.2 (4 marks): Determine, using the graph in Figure 9, the maximum magnitude of the electric field. State an appropriate unit for your answer. [4 marks] maximum magnitude = un
June 2024, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): Which diagram shows a distribution of charge where the electric potential at P and the electric field at P are both zero? [1 mark] A B C D A B C D
June 2024, Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): An ion has a specific charge of −7.1 × 107 C kg−1. It is held stationary in a vertical electric field on the surface of the Earth. What are the magnitude and di
June 2023, Paper 2, Q04.1 (2 marks): Figure 5 shows a dashed line between the mesh and the wire. Sketch on Figure 6 a graph to show how the magnitude E of the electric field strength varies with th
June 2023, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): Six metal spheres, each carrying a charge of magnitude Q, are equally spaced around a circle of diameter d. What is the magnitude of the field strength at the c
June 2023, Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): The diagram shows the path of an electron in a uniform electric field. The electron moves in a vertical plane. The direction of the electric field is [1 mark] A
June 2022, Paper 2, Q03.1 (2 marks): State and explain the location of the excess electrons. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): Two parallel metal plates separated by a distance d have a potential difference V across them. A particle with charge Q is placed midway between the plates. Wha
November 2021, Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): An isolated spherical conductor is charged. The conductor has a radius R and an electric potential V. The electric field strength at its surface is E. Point T i
November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.1 (1 mark): The positive lithium ion A in Figure 3 moves at a speed v. Draw two labelled arrows on Figure 3 to show the directions of the electric force FE and the magnetic
November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.2 (2 marks): Lithium ions travelling at 1.5 × 105 m s−1 pass through the small aperture. Calculate E. B = 0.12 T [2 marks] E = V m−1
November 2020, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): At a distance L from a fixed point charge, the electric field strength is E and the electric potential is V. What are the electric field strength and the electr
June 2019, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): A small object of mass m has a charge Q. The object remains stationary in an evacuated space between two horizontal plates. The plates are separated by a distan
June 2019, Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): An electric field acts into the plane of the paper. An electron enters the field at 90° to the field lines. The force on the electron is [1 mark] A zero. B alon
June 2018, Paper 2, Q02.1 (2 marks): Define the electric field strength at a point in an electric field. [2 marks]
June 2018, Paper 2, Q02.2 (3 marks): Figure 2 shows a point charge of +46 µC placed 120 mm from a point charge Q. Figure 2 Position P is on the line joining the charges at a distance 66 mm from cha
June 2018, Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): A small rubber ball coated with a conducting paint carries a positive charge. The ball is suspended in equilibrium from a vertical wall by an uncharged non-cond
June 2018, Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A conducting sphere holding a charge of +10 µC is placed centrally inside a second uncharged conducting sphere. Which diagram shows the electric field lines for
June 2017, Paper 2, Q06.5 (1 mark): State which object L or M has a charge with the greater magnitude. object State which object L or M has a positive charge. object [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Two parallel metal plates of separation a carry equal and opposite charges. Which graph best represents how the electric field strength E varies with the distan
June 2017, Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): A particle of mass m and charge q is accelerated through a potential difference V over a distance d. What is the average acceleration of the particle? [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 2, Q17 (1 mark): An electron moves through a distance of 0.10 m parallel to the field lines of a uniform electric field of strength 2.0 kN C−1. What is the work done on the elec
Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.2 (3 marks): Figure 1 shows a system that separates two minerals from the ore containing them using an electric field. Figure 1 The crushed particles of the two different mi
Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.3 (1 mark): Figure 1 shows a system that separates two minerals from the ore containing them using an electric field. Figure 1 The crushed particles of the two different mi
Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.5 (4 marks): Figure 1 shows a system that separates two minerals from the ore containing them using an electric field. Figure 1 The crushed particles of the two different mi
Specimen, Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): Q
Specimen, Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): Two parallel metal plates are separated by a distance d and have a potential difference V across them. Which expression gives the magnitude of the electrostatic
June 2016, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q13 (1 mark): The diagram shows a charge –Q being moved from point X to point Y between two charged parallel plates separated by a distance d. Which one of the following grap
June 2016, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q14 (1 mark): The diagram shows four point charges, each +Q, at the corners of a square of side 2a. What is the electric field strength at P, the centre of the square? A zero
June 2015, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q15 (1 mark): A positive ion has a charge-to-mass ratio of 2.40 × 107 C kg–1. It is held stationary in a vertical electric field. Which line, A to D, in the table shows corre
June 2015, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(c)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the electric field strength at the point where r = 0.40 m. [2 marks] electric field strength V m–1
June 2014, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q14 (1 mark): Which one of the following statements is correct? When a negative ion is projected into an electric field A the field can change the magnitude of the velocity b
June 2014, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): State and explain the direction of the electrostatic force on the ion. [2 marks]
June 2014, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on the ion. [2 marks] magnitude of electrostatic force N
June 2014, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the electric field strength. [1 mark] electric field strength NC–1
June 2013, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q16 (1 mark): Two horizontal parallel plate conductors are separated by a distance of 5.0mm in air. The lower plate is earthed and the potential of the upper plate is +50V. W
June 2013, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q18 (1 mark): Which path, A to D, shows how an electron moves in the uniform electric field represented in the diagram? boundary of electric field electric field initial dire
June 2013, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q19 (1 mark): The diagram shows a negative ion at a point in an electric field, which is represented by the arrowed field lines. Which one of the following statements correct
June 2013, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): The air gap is 12mm wide. Calculate the minimum pd required across the discs for a spark to occur. Assume that the electric field in the air gap is uniform. pd
January 2013, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q14 (1 mark): A small sphere, of mass m and carrying a charge Q, is suspended from a thread and placed in a uniform horizontal electric field of strength E. When the sphere c
January 2013, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q16 (1 mark): A beam of electrons, moving with a constant velocity v in a vacuum, enters a uniform electric field between two metal plates. Which line, A to D, in the table d
January 2013, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q21 (1 mark): Which line, A to D, in the table correctly describes the trajectory of charged particles which enter separately, at right angles, a uniform electric field, and
January 2013, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Sketch on Figure 3 the pattern of the electric field surrounding the charges. (3 marks)
January 2013, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(c)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the magnitude of the resultant electric field strength at the mid-point of the line joining the two charges in Figure 3. State an appropriate unit for
January 2013, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the direction of the resultant electric field at the mid-point of the line joining the charges. (1 mark)
June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on Figure 2 to show the direction of the electrostatic force that acts on the stationary electron. (1 mark)
June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): State and explain what, if anything, will happen to the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on the electron as it starts to move in this field. (2 marks
June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): State and explain how the electrostatic force on the proton in Figure 3b compares with that on the electron in Figure 3a. (2 marks)
June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Each of the particles starts to move from the positions shown in Figure 3a and Figure 3b. State and explain how the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the
June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Describe and explain what will happen to the acceleration of each of these particles as they continue to move in the electric field.
June 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(c)(ii) (3 marks): An illuminated shop sign includes a neon discharge tube, as shown in Figure 4. A pd of 4500V is applied across the electrodes, which are 180mm apart. Figure 4 A
June 2012, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q1(a) (3 marks): Explain why the beam curves downwards at an increasing angle to its initial direction.
January 2012, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q15 (1 mark): The distance between two point charges of + 8.0nC and + 2.0nC is 60mm. At a point between the charges, on the line joining them, the resultant electric field st
January 2012, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q16 (1 mark): Which one of the following cannot be used as a unit for electric field strength? A Jm–1C–1 B JA–1s–1m–1 C NA–1s–1 D JCm–1
January 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): Show that the electric field strength at point M, which is mid-way between L and N, is 2.5Vm–1. (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): On Figure 2, sketch the electric field between R and S, showing its direction. (2 marks)
January 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): Point T is mid-way between R and S. Calculate the electric field strength at T. answer = Vm–1 (1 mark)
January 2012, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q1(c)(iii) (1 mark): Parts (b)(iii) and (c)(ii) both involve the electric field strength at a point mid-way between potentials of + 1.0V and + 3.0V. Explain why the magnitudes of th
June 2011, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q15 (1 mark): An ion carrying a charge of +4.8 × 10–19C travels horizontally at a speed of 8.0 × 105ms–1. It enters a uniform vertical electric field of strength 4200 V m–1,
June 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the ions have no overall deflection when a magnetic field of the required strength has been applied. (2 marks)
June 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(iii) (4 marks): A stream of ions passes between the plates at a velocity of 1.7x105ms–1. The separation d of the plates is 65mm and the pd across them is 48V. Calculate the val
June 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(c) (2 marks): Explain what would happen to ions with a velocity higher than 1.7x105ms–1 when they pass between the plates at a time when the conditions in part (b)(iii) have
January 2011, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q14 (1 mark): What is the acceleration of an electron at a point in an electric field where the field strength is 1.5×105 Vm–1? A 1.2×106 ms–2 B 1.4×1013 ms–2 C 2.7×1015 ms–2
January 2011, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q15 (1 mark): At a distance R from a fixed charge, the electric field strength is E and the electric potential is V. Which line, A to D, in the table gives the electric field
January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): A pd of 600V is applied between P1 and P2 when the switch is closed. Calculate the magnitude of the electric field strength between the plates, assuming it is u
January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Show that the magnitude of the electrostatic force that acts on the ball under these conditions is 1.3mN. (1 mark)
January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): On Figure 4, mark and label the forces that act on the ball when in this position. (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The mass of the ball is 4.8 × 10–4kg. By considering the equilibrium of the ball, determine the value of θ. answer = degrees (3 marks)
June 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State the direction of the electric field between the plates. (1 mark)
June 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(a)(iii) (3 marks): The pd applied across the plates is 5.0kV. If the charge on the sphere is –4.1 × 10–8C, determine the separation of the plates. answer = m (3 marks)
June 2010, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): State and explain the effect of this on the electric field between the plates. (2 marks)
January 2010, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q15 (1 mark): Two parallel metal plates separated by a distance d have a potential difference V across them. What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on a char
January 2010, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q16 (1 mark): Which one of the following statements about electric field strength and electric potential is incorrect? A Electric potential is a scalar quantity. B Electric f
June 2008, PA04A (2008 spec), Q10 (2 marks): 10 A charged particle of mass 4.80 × 10 –13 kg and charge 8.00 × 10 –19 C is stationary in a vertical electric Þ eld. What is the value of the electric Þ eld? (
June 2008, PA04A (2008 spec), Q11 (2 marks): 11 The diagram shows four point charges, each +Q, at the corners of a square of side 2a. What is the electric Þ eld strength at P, the centre of the square? A z
January 2008, PA04B (2008 spec), Q3(a) (5 marks): 3 (a) Electrons experience forces in electric fields. In each of the following cases, state the direction of the force that acts on a moving electron, and descr
January 2008, PA04B (2008 spec), Q3(b) (4 marks): (b) Figure 2 shows two parallel metal plates, 44 mm apart, which have a pd of 110 V applied across them, with an electron between them. Figure 2 Calculate 44 mm

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