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Electromagnetic induction and alternating current: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Electromagnetic induction and alternating current (specification points 124–129), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,540 questions

  1. Q17(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    6 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 17(a): Explain why the aluminium disc rotates in the same direction as the magnet. (6)

  2. Q10(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marksResistance, resistivity and powerElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 10(a): Show that the rate of power dissipation in the resistor is about 48 W. (2)

  3. Q10(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    6 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 10(c): The lab technician used an oscilloscope to determine the supply frequency and check the r.m.s. output p.d. displayed by the voltmeter. Describe the methods the

  4. Q18(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    4 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 18(a): Describe how this arrangement can be used as a regenerative brake. (4)

  5. Q11(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    4 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 11(a): A steel pan containing water is placed on the induction hob. Explain why the pan becomes hot when the supply is switched on. (4)

  6. Q11(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 11(b): The a.c. supply to the coil in an induction hob has a much higher frequency than normal mains frequency. Explain why this is an advantage in this case. (2)

  7. Q18(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 markElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 18(a)(i): Calculate the root‑mean‑square potential difference. (1) Root‑mean‑square potential difference =

  8. Q18(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 18(a)(ii): The formula used to generate this graph is V = 5 sin (100 πt) Explain why this formula leads to the graph above. (3)

  9. Q14(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 markElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 14(a)(i): Calculate the frequency of the supply. (1) Frequency =

  10. Q14(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 markElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 14(a)(ii): Calculate the root‑mean‑square p.d. (1) Root‑mean‑square p.d. =

  11. Q16(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    2 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 16(a)(i): Explain why a current is induced in the copper disc when the motor is switched on. (2)

  12. Q16(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    3 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 16(a)(ii): Explain, using Lenz’s law, why the copper disc rotates. (3)

  13. Q16(c)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    4 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 16(c): The table shows how the turning effect exerted on a load varies with ω for a particular distance between the copper disc and the plastic disc. ω / rad s−1 Turni

  14. Q5

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    6 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 5: *5 The diagram shows a ‘shaker torch’. When the torch is shaken, a strong magnet moves forwards and backwards through a copper coil, powering a light-emitting d

  15. Q1

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 markElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 1: The graph shows how a potential difference (p.d.) varies with time. p.d. / V 2 1 Time / s 0 1.0 −1 −2 Which of the following is correct? A The frequency is 4.5

  16. Q17(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    4 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 17(c): The coil within a very sensitive moving coil ammeter can be damaged when the ammeter is transported. The two ends of the coil are connected together when the am

  17. Q7(a)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 7(a)(i): Determine the peak p.d. across the 150 Ω resistor. y-sensitivity of oscilloscope = 2.0 V per division (2) Peak p.d. across 150 Ω resistor =

  18. Q7(a)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 7(a)(ii): Calculate the root mean square (r.m.s.) value of the current in the circuit. (3) r.m.s. value of current =

  19. Q7(a)(iii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating currentResistance, resistivity and power
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 7(a)(iii): Calculate the power dissipated in the circuit. (3) Power dissipated in circuit =

  20. Q7(b)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marksElectromagnetic induction and alternating current
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 7(b): Another student suggested that a voltmeter would be more accurate than using an oscilloscope to determine the magnitude of the p.d. Comment on this suggestion.
All 26 questions on Electromagnetic induction and alternating current, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q17(a) (6 marks): Explain why the aluminium disc rotates in the same direction as the magnet. (6)
  2. June 2025, Paper 3, Q10(a) (2 marks): Show that the rate of power dissipation in the resistor is about 48 W. (2)
  3. June 2025, Paper 3, Q10(c) (6 marks): The lab technician used an oscilloscope to determine the supply frequency and check the r.m.s. output p.d. displayed by the voltmeter. Describe the methods the
  4. June 2024, Paper 1, Q18(a) (4 marks): Describe how this arrangement can be used as a regenerative brake. (4)
  5. June 2023, Paper 1, Q11(a) (4 marks): A steel pan containing water is placed on the induction hob. Explain why the pan becomes hot when the supply is switched on. (4)
  6. June 2023, Paper 1, Q11(b) (2 marks): The a.c. supply to the coil in an induction hob has a much higher frequency than normal mains frequency. Explain why this is an advantage in this case. (2)
  7. June 2023, Paper 1, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the root‑mean‑square potential difference. (1) Root‑mean‑square potential difference =
  8. June 2023, Paper 1, Q18(a)(ii) (3 marks): The formula used to generate this graph is V = 5 sin (100 πt) Explain why this formula leads to the graph above. (3)
  9. June 2022, Paper 1, Q14(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the frequency of the supply. (1) Frequency =
  10. June 2022, Paper 1, Q14(a)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the root‑mean‑square p.d. (1) Root‑mean‑square p.d. =
  11. June 2022, Paper 1, Q16(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why a current is induced in the copper disc when the motor is switched on. (2)
  12. June 2022, Paper 1, Q16(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain, using Lenz’s law, why the copper disc rotates. (3)
  13. June 2022, Paper 1, Q16(c) (4 marks): The table shows how the turning effect exerted on a load varies with ω for a particular distance between the copper disc and the plastic disc. ω / rad s−1 Turni
  14. June 2022, Paper 3, Q5 (6 marks): *5 The diagram shows a ‘shaker torch’. When the torch is shaken, a strong magnet moves forwards and backwards through a copper coil, powering a light-emitting d
  15. November 2021, Paper 1, Q1 (1 mark): The graph shows how a potential difference (p.d.) varies with time. p.d. / V 2 1 Time / s 0 1.0 −1 −2 Which of the following is correct? A The frequency is 4.5
  16. November 2021, Paper 1, Q17(c) (4 marks): The coil within a very sensitive moving coil ammeter can be damaged when the ammeter is transported. The two ends of the coil are connected together when the am
  17. November 2021, Paper 3, Q7(a)(i) (2 marks): Determine the peak p.d. across the 150 Ω resistor. y-sensitivity of oscilloscope = 2.0 V per division (2) Peak p.d. across 150 Ω resistor =
  18. November 2021, Paper 3, Q7(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the root mean square (r.m.s.) value of the current in the circuit. (3) r.m.s. value of current =
  19. November 2021, Paper 3, Q7(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the power dissipated in the circuit. (3) Power dissipated in circuit =
  20. November 2021, Paper 3, Q7(b) (3 marks): Another student suggested that a voltmeter would be more accurate than using an oscilloscope to determine the magnitude of the p.d. Comment on this suggestion.
  21. October 2020, Paper 1, Q17(a) (6 marks): Describe how the device can be used as both a generator and an electric motor. (6)
  22. June 2018, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): A wire carries an alternating current of peak value 3 A. Which of the following is the root-mean-square value of this current? A 1.5 A B 2.1 A C 4.2 A D 9.0 A
  23. June 2018, Paper 1, Q12 (6 marks): * 12 A simple electric motor consists of a coil that is free to rotate in a magnetic field. A student connects the motor to an ammeter and a battery. coil N S A
  24. June 2018, Paper 3, Q10(c) (6 marks): A linear induction motor provides the force to accelerate the train forwards. A current flows in sequence through coils of wire mounted in the track. The train
  25. June 2017, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A circuit is set up as shown in the diagram. Lamps X and Y are identical. The coil has a soft iron core. The resistor and the coil have the same resistance. X Y
  26. June 2017, Paper 3, Q11(d) (6 marks): Identical bar magnets are suspended from identical springs, with the North pole of each magnet inside a coil of wire as shown. The two coils are connected toget

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