Electric fields and potential: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Physics exam question on Electric fields and potential (specification points 92–99), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 94 questions on Electric fields and potential, as a list

June 2025, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): A proton is in a vacuum. At a distance r from the proton, the electric field strength due to the proton is 0.77 N C –1. Which of the following gives the distanc
June 2025, Unit 4, Q19(a) (2 marks): The diagram shows a negatively charged plate above a positively charged solar panel. negatively charged plate positively charged solar panel Add to the diagram
June 2025, Unit 4, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why a sand particle moves as shown. (2)
June 2025, Unit 4, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the electric field strength between the negatively charged plate and the solar panel is about 8.1 × 10 5 V m –1. distance between plate and solar pane
June 2025, Unit 4, Q19(b)(iii) (6 marks): The maximum positive charge that can be given to the sand particles when the –12 C. solar panel is charged is 4.0 × 10 The table below shows the diameters of so
June 2025, Unit 4, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Add to the diagram below to show the forces acting on a charged sand particle. (2) negatively charged plate + positively charged solar panel θ
June 2025, Unit 4, Q19(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how inclining the solar panel at an angle θ would improve the removal of sand particles from the solar panel. (2)
June 2025, Unit 5, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following statements applies to both electric fields and gravitational fields? A Each field causes a force on all particles. B Each field can cause
January 2025, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): Two identical charged particles were placed in a vacuum 0.020 m apart. The charge on each particle was +8.0 × 10 –6 C. Which of the following gives the magnitud
January 2025, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): The graph shows how electric field strength varies with distance from a charged conducting sphere. Electric field strength, E 0 0.5 Distance / m Which of the fo
January 2025, Unit 4, Q12(a) (2 marks): The electric potential produced at the surface of the conducting sphere is 4 V. 1.75 × 10 −7 C. Show that the charge on the sphere is about 4.4 × 10 (2)
January 2025, Unit 4, Q12(b) (2 marks): Neon bulbs light when placed in a region of strong electric field. A neon bulb is moved towards the charged sphere of the Van de Graaff generator. The neon bulb
January 2025, Unit 4, Q16(a) (2 marks): Add to the diagram to show the field lines between the plates. (2)
January 2025, Unit 4, Q16(b) (5 marks): A charged oil drop entered the region of electric field between the plates. The plates were 1.5 cm apart. A potential difference of 85 V was applied between the
January 2025, Unit 5, Q3 (1 mark): There is an electric field around a point charge and a gravitational field around a point mass. Which of the following is not correct? A Both fields are radial.
October 2024, Unit 4, Q12(a) (3 marks): Draw field lines to show the electric field around the charge. (3)
October 2024, Unit 4, Q12(b) (3 marks): The positive point charge is placed at P. A negative point charge is placed at Q, as shown below. 12.0 cm P R Q 4.0 cm R is 4.0 cm from P, as shown. Calculate t
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(a)(ii) (2 marks): When placed on the first strip, the ball is charged to a potential of 1800 V. Show that the charge on the ball is about 2 × 10–9 C. radius of ball = 0.95 cm (2)
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(a)(iii) (4 marks): There is a force on the ball due to the uniform electric field between the strips. Deduce whether this is the only force acting to accelerate the ball at about
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(a)(i) (3 marks): Add dashed lines to the electric field diagram to show equipotentials at intervals of equal potential difference. (3)
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(a)(ii) (1 mark): Label the equipotential that represents 0 V. (1)
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the minimum energy, in joules, required for an electron leaving the surface of the spacecraft to reach the surface of the satellite. Assume that the c
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(b)(ii) (4 marks): The spacecraft moves to a new position, taking the satellite with it. The distance between the satellite and the spacecraft remains constant, so the electrostat
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(c) (1 mark): In reality, the magnitude of the positive charge on the spacecraft may be greater than the magnitude of the negative charge on the satellite. Suggest why. (1)
January 2024, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): A potential difference is applied across two parallel metal plates. Which of the following graphs shows how the electric field strength E varies with distance d
January 2024, Unit 4, Q13(a) (2 marks): Calculate the initial force between the helium ion and the proton. (2) Initial force between helium ion and proton =
January 2024, Unit 4, Q13(b) (2 marks): Calculate the electric field strength due to the helium ion, at the initial position of the proton. (2) Electric field strength due to helium ion =
October 2023, Unit 4, Q15(a) (4 marks): Calculate the minimum distance between the alpha particle and the gold nucleus. (4) Minimum distance =
October 2023, Unit 4, Q15(b) (2 marks): An alpha particle with a different energy approaches the gold nucleus. The minimum –14 m. distance between this alpha particle and the gold nucleus is 5.68 × 10
October 2023, Unit 4, Q20(a) (5 marks): There is an electrostatic force on the sphere when the sphere is charged. The capacitance C of the sphere is given by C = 4πε0r where r is the radius of the con
October 2023, Unit 4, Q20(b) (3 marks): After the sphere has been charged, the sphere starts to oscillate between the plates. The sphere touches each plate alternately. Explain why the conducting sphe
October 2023, Unit 4, Q20(c) (2 marks): A few years later, another scientist called Franklin adapted Gordon’s device. Franklin suspended a conducting sphere between two metal bells. One metal bell was
October 2023, Unit 4, Q22(a) (3 marks): Explain why electrons are deflected into a parabolic path when a potential difference is applied between A and B. (3)
October 2023, Unit 4, Q22(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the maximum speed of the electrons as they emerge from the anode is about 1.7 × 10 7 m s –1. (3)
October 2023, Unit 4, Q22(b)(ii) (5 marks): The electric field strength between the parallel metal plates is 1.7 × 10 4 V m –1. The length of each plate is 7.5 cm. The electrons pass through the region be
June 2023, Unit 4, Q17(a) (3 marks): Complete the diagram to show the electric field around a positively charged sphere. (3)
June 2023, Unit 4, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the charge on the sphere is about 10 nC. potential at surface of sphere = 5000 V radius of sphere = 20 mm (2)
June 2023, Unit 4, Q17(b)(ii) (3 marks): The sphere moves away from the positive plate and comes to rest at an angle θ to the vertical. insulating thread θ +5000 V 0 V –4 N. Show that the horizontal fo
June 2023, Unit 4, Q17(b)(iii) (3 marks): Show that θ is about 1°. mass of sphere = 2.7 g (3)
June 2023, Unit 4, Q17(c) (3 marks): A second identical charged sphere is held in a fixed position. The first sphere, attached to the insulating thread, is placed near to the fixed sphere. The sphe
January 2023, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): Point charges of equal magnitude are placed close together, as shown. – + Which of the following diagrams shows the electric field around the charges? – – + + A
January 2023, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): A proton is accelerated by a uniform electric field. After time t the speed of the proton has increased by Δv. A helium nucleus 4 2He is accelerated by the same
January 2023, Unit 4, Q12(a) (2 marks): Add lines to the diagram to show equipotentials at intervals of equal potential difference. (2)
January 2023, Unit 4, Q12(b) (2 marks): A charge of –4.5 nC is placed 4.0 cm from X. Calculate the magnitude of the force acting on this charge due to the charge at X. charge at X = +7.0 nC (2) Magnit
January 2023, Unit 4, Q12(c) (3 marks): The –4.5 nC charge is moved from a distance of 4.0 cm from X to a distance of 9.0 cm from X. Calculate the work done on the –4.5 nC charge. (3) Work done =
October 2022, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows the shape of the electric field pattern between two charged particles, X and Y. X Y X has a charge of –Q. Which of the following could be the
October 2022, Unit 4, Q15(b)(i) (3 marks): Sketch lines to show the electric field between these two lines of equipotential. (3)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q15(b)(ii) (3 marks): The 40 V line is drawn to scale correctly. Deduce whether the 10 V equipotential line is in the correct scaled position. (3)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q15(b)(iii) (3 marks): An alpha particle moves from the +10 V potential to the +40 V potential. Calculate the increase in the potential energy of the alpha particle in eV. (3) Increas
October 2022, Unit 4, Q18(a)(i) (2 marks): The electric field strength between the anode and cathode is 7.5 × 10 Calculate the potential difference between the anode and cathode. (2) Potential difference
October 2022, Unit 4, Q18(a)(ii) (4 marks): A stationary oxygen ion is formed half-way between the anode and cathode with a charge of +1.6 × 10 –19 C. Show that the velocity of the ion as it passes throug
June 2022, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): Two equally-charged ions exert a force of 4.0 × 10−9 N on each other. The distance between the centres of the ions is 2.4 × 10−10 m. Which of the following is e
June 2022, Unit 4, Q16(b)(i) (4 marks): Show that the closest distance these alpha particles can get to a gold nucleus is about 5 × 10−14 m. (4)
June 2022, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the strength of the electric field due to the gold nucleus at this distance. (3) Strength of electric field =
January 2022, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): When a potential difference is applied across the parallel metal plates, the electrons are deflected. Which of the following changes would decrease the deflecti
January 2022, Unit 4, Q11 (3 marks): The diagram represents a negative point charge. Draw field lines to show the electric field around the charge.
January 2022, Unit 4, Q13(a)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the charge on each balloon is about 2 × 10−7 C. (2)
January 2022, Unit 4, Q13(b) (2 marks): One balloon is removed and the remaining balloon returns to its original position. Calculate the electric potential at a distance of 0.30 m from the centre of t
October 2021, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): Which of the following graphs shows how the electric field strength E varies with distance r from a positive point charge? E E E E 0 0 0 0 r r r r A B C D A B C
October 2021, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): The electric potential V varies with the distance r from a charged object as shown. V 0 D r A B C At which distance, A, B, C or D, does the electric field stren
October 2021, Unit 4, Q11(a) (3 marks): Calculate the electric potential at a distance 26.6 × 10–12 m from a helium 4 2He nucleus. (3) Electric potential =
October 2021, Unit 4, Q11(b) (1 mark): State one assumption made for this calculation. (1)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q16(a) (3 marks): Sketch lines to represent the electric field between the plates. (3)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the force on an ionised atom due to the electric field is about 2.6 × 10–13 N. charge on ionised atom = 1.60 × 10–19 C distance between plates = 6.40
October 2021, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): The ionised atom travels 0.2 μm in the direction perpendicular to the plates before colliding with another atom. Deduce whether the collision could lead to furt
October 2021, Unit 5, Q2 (1 mark): A helium nucleus approaches a gold nucleus. An electric force and a gravitational force act on each nucleus. Which statement about these forces is not correct?
June 2021, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): The diagram shows two metal plates with a potential difference V across them. The path of an electron travelling between the plates is shown. +V θ electron path
June 2021, Unit 4, Q12(b) (4 marks): A mercury ion with kinetic energy 6.42 × 10–15 J leaves a drift tube, as shown. drift tube drift tube path of mercury ion Calculate the momentum of the mercury
June 2021, Unit 4, Q16(a) (3 marks): Calculate the magnitude of the electric field strength midway between X and Y. charge at X = + 2.5 × 10–7 C charge at Y = – 2.5 × 10–7 C (3) Electric field stre
June 2021, Unit 4, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): Add dashed lines to the electric field diagram to show equipotentials for this combination of charges. (3)
June 2021, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (4 marks): A textbook states, “An electric field line shows the path a free positive test charge follows”. Discuss the accuracy of this statement for free positive test ch
June 2021, Unit 4, Q16(c) (4 marks): The charges at X and Y are replaced by charges of twice the magnitude. 8.0 cm 2.5 cm 2.5 cm C D X Y C and D are points between the charges. Determine the magnit
January 2021, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is not a vector quantity? A electric field strength B impulse C magnetic flux density D work done
January 2021, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): Point charges of 2 μC and 3 μC are placed 1.2 m apart as shown. 0.4 m 0.8 m 2 μC X 3 μC What is the electric field strength at the point labelled X? × × − − 2 1
January 2021, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): A 6 V battery is connected across two parallel metal plates. Which of the following shows the electric field lines and equipotentials in the region between the
January 2021, Unit 4, Q18(a) (5 marks): The diagram represents an alpha particle reflected back through 180° as it approached the nucleus of a gold atom. path of alpha particle nucleus of gold atom Ca
January 2021, Unit 4, Q18(b) (4 marks): The diagram represents the path of an alpha particle with the same initial speed as in (a) that is deflected through a smaller angle. path of alpha particle nuc
January 2021, Unit 4, Q19(a)(i) (3 marks): Show that r = ρg 2 η = viscosity of air ρ = density of oil (3)
January 2021, Unit 4, Q19(a)(iii) (4 marks): A potential difference (p.d.) was applied across the plates and adjusted until a charged oil droplet was stationary between them. metal plates 9910 V 1.60 cm st
January 2021, Unit 4, Q19(b) (3 marks): The students repeated the experiment for a large number of oil droplets. The graph shows the number of oil droplets with each measured charge. 20 18 16 14 12 Nu
January 2021, Unit 4, Q19(c) (3 marks): In 1909 Millikan concluded that the charge on the electron was 1.592 × 10−19 C whereas the accepted value today is 1.602 × 10−19 C. This was because the value f
October 2020, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): Two equal positive charges are placed at Y and Z. Y Z X Point X is equidistant from Y and Z. Which of the following shows the direction of the electric field at
October 2020, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): An oil drop with charge q and mass m remains stationary between two metal plates with a potential difference V across them. The plates are separated by distance
October 2020, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): When a point object with charge +Q is placed a distance d away from another point object with charge +2Q the force between them is F. The charges are increased
October 2020, Unit 4, Q14(c) (3 marks): We now know that the nucleus is positively charged. An alpha particle with kinetic energy of 6.29 MeV approaches a platinum nucleus and is repelled. The proton
October 2020, Unit 5, Q11 (2 marks): Electrostatic forces and gravitational forces can both be modelled by the idea of a field. Give one similarity and one difference between electric fields and gr
January 2020, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): At distance d from a point charge of magnitude q the potential is V. Which of the following is the potential at a distance 4d from a point charge of magnitude 2
January 2020, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows equipotential lines about a point charge. 2 V 4 V 6 V Which of the following diagrams shows a possible combination of electric field lines and
January 2020, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows a potential difference applied across two conducting parallel plates. +10 V X 20 cm 0 V Point X is midway between the plates. Which of the fol
January 2020, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): Point charges of +q and –q are placed at X and Y respectively. When another charge is placed at Z, the resultant force on the charge at X is zero. Distance XY e
January 2020, Unit 4, Q16(a) (1 mark): State, with a reason, the polarity of the charge on the strands of web. (1)
January 2020, Unit 4, Q16(b) (5 marks): A spider moves upwards after letting out a strand of web. Determine the initial upwards acceleration of the spider. mass of spider = 3.00×10–6 kg total magnitud
January 2020, Unit 4, Q16(c) (3 marks): The Earth has an electric field because charge is distributed over its surface. Determine the quantity of charge on 1 m2 of the Earth’s surface which would caus
January 2020, Unit 4, Q19(b) (5 marks): In a cyclotron, in which Lawrence’s expression applies, protons were accelerated to a speed of 1.5×107 m s–1. Determine the time taken to accelerate a proton to

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