Magnetic fields and forces: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Physics exam question on Magnetic fields and forces (specification points 105–107), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 62 questions on Magnetic fields and forces, as a list

June 2025, Unit 4, Q11(a) (2 marks): The proton experiences a force of 6.5 × 10 Calculate the speed of the proton. magnetic flux density = 0.52 T (2) Speed =
June 2025, Unit 4, Q11(b) (2 marks): Draw, on the diagram above, the path of the proton in the magnetic field. (2)
June 2025, Unit 4, Q13 (3 marks): A student placed two magnets on a top pan balance. The student clamped a metal wire horizontally in the uniform magnetic field between the magnets, as shown. me
June 2025, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): In the cyclotron, the protons leave the dees when the radius of their path is 29 cm. Deduce whether the speed of the protons as they leave the cyclotron is the
January 2025, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): The diagram shows a particle track in a bubble chamber. X Y Which of the following is a valid conclusion from this track? A The particle is negatively charged.
January 2025, Unit 4, Q13 (3 marks): A power cable is supported by two pylons, as shown. The length of the cable is 90 m. The current in the cable is 700 A. Near the pylons, the Earth’s magnetic fi
October 2024, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): An electron is travelling horizontally at velocity v through a uniform magnetic field of magnetic flux density B. The magnetic field is at an angle of 24° to th
October 2024, Unit 4, Q15(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the coil rotates in the clockwise direction when viewed from the end, as shown above. (2)
October 2024, Unit 4, Q15(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the resultant moment, about the axle, of the magnetic forces acting on the coil. length of coil, BD = 5.0 cm width of coil, DC = 3.5 cm magnetic flux
October 2024, Unit 4, Q18(a) (2 marks): The Σ + particle is following a circular path of radius 1.99 m. Calculate the value of B. momentum of Σ + particle = 3.67 × 10–19 kg m s–1 (2) B =
October 2024, Unit 4, Q18(b)(iv) (4 marks): The diagram shows the track of the Σ + particle in the bubble chamber. X Add to the diagram to show all tracks visible in the bubble chamber after the decay at
June 2024, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): Which diagram shows the direction of the force on the wire due to the magnetic field? A B C D
June 2024, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): When the magnetic flux density is 0.024 T, the force on the wire is 4.8 × 10 –4 N. The length of wire in the field is 0.010 m. Which of the following gives the
June 2024, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): The path of the proton then decreases in radius. Which of the following is a reason why the radius decreases? A The kinetic energy of the particle decreases. B
June 2024, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): An alpha particle also moving in a straight line with the same speed v enters the same magnetic field. The alpha particle follows a circular path in the magneti
January 2024, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): A proton travelling at speed v enters a uniform magnetic field. The magnetic flux density of the field is 45 mT, as shown. + v 45 mT –13 N is exerted on the pro
January 2024, Unit 4, Q19(b) (5 marks): Radio waves are also produced during an aurora. Electrons moving in a circular path in the atmosphere emit radio waves. The frequency of the emitted radio waves
January 2024, Unit 4, Q22(b)(ii) (4 marks): The first cyclotron was made by Lawrence in 1929. This cyclotron was able to produce a beam of protons with a maximum kinetic energy of 80 keV. Calculate the ma
October 2023, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): Which of the following is a possible unit for magnetic flux? A T m 2 B T m –2 C Wb m 2 D Wb m –2
October 2023, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram shows the paths of two charged particles, X and Y, moving at the same speed in a uniform magnetic field. X Y Which row of the table describes the pr
October 2023, Unit 4, Q13 (3 marks): A student clamped a metal rod horizontally in a uniform magnetic field as shown. The student connected the ends of the metal rod to a power supply, an ammeter a
October 2023, Unit 4, Q22(b)(iii) (4 marks): The electric field between the parallel metal plates is removed. A uniform magnetic field is applied to deflect the electron beam into a circular path of radius
October 2023, Unit 6, Q1(b) (2 marks): Complete the circuit diagram for this investigation. (2) copper wire
October 2023, Unit 6, Q1(c) (4 marks): The student plotted a graph of his readings as shown. 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 m / g 0.4 0.2 0.0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 I / A The relationship between m and I is given by BL m
June 2023, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): The diagram shows a current-carrying wire between two magnetic poles. 0.17 A North 35° South 5.2 cm The magnetic flux density between the poles is 0.85 T. Which
June 2023, Unit 4, Q12(a) (2 marks): Derive the following equation for the particle. r = p BQ (2)
June 2023, Unit 4, Q12(b) (4 marks): The particle is an alpha particle of energy 5.4 MeV. Calculate B. mass of alpha particle = 6.64 × 10 –27 kg r = 0.096 m (4) B =
January 2023, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows the track of a charged particle in a magnetic field. The magnetic field is directed into the page. X Y Which of the following particles could
January 2023, Unit 4, Q15(a) (6 marks): When the student moved the wire quickly downwards between the magnets, the reading on the balance changed. Explain how the reading on the balance changed. (6)
January 2023, Unit 4, Q17(a)(i) (3 marks): The plates are separated by a distance d. Show that the speed v of the electrons is given by v = V Bd (3)
January 2023, Unit 4, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): An experiment was carried out using similar apparatus. Show that v was about 3 × 10 7 m s −1 . d = 1.5 cm B = 5.5 × 10 −4 T V = 231 V (2)
January 2023, Unit 4, Q17(a)(iii) (3 marks): When the electric field between the plates is switched off the electrons move in a circular path of radius 39 cm, due to the magnetic field. 11 C kg −1. The acc
October 2022, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): The SI unit of magnetic flux density is the tesla. Which of the following gives the base units of the tesla? A N A –1 m –1 B N C –1 m 2 C kg A –1 s –2 D kg C –1
October 2022, Unit 4, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): A uniform electric field between the plates acts on an oxygen ion. A uniform magnetic field acts so that the magnetic force on the oxygen ion is in the opposite
October 2022, Unit 4, Q18(b)(ii) (3 marks): The velocity selector is used to produce a beam of oxygen ions travelling in a straight line with a speed of 5.0 × 10 5 m s –1. Calculate the magnetic flux dens
October 2022, Unit 4, Q18(c) (3 marks): After passing through the velocity selector, a beam of oxygen ions with the same velocity enters a region of uniform magnetic flux density. Different isotopes o
June 2022, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): A wire is in the same plane as a magnetic field of magnetic flux density B as shown. The wire is of length l and carries a current I. I B ϕ Which row of the tab
June 2022, Unit 4, Q14(a) (4 marks): Determine the momentum of the negative pion. magnetic flux density of field in the detector = 7.0 T (4) Momentum =
January 2022, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): A square coil PQRS has sides of length l. There is a clockwise current I in the coil as shown. The plane of the coil is parallel to a magnetic field of magnetic
January 2022, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): A charged particle is accelerated in a spiral path in a cyclotron. spiral path dees Which of the following changes would increase the amount of energy transferr
January 2022, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): A magnetic field acts in the detector. State the direction of the magnetic field. (1)
January 2022, Unit 4, Q17(d)(ii) (3 marks): Deduce whether the website’s claim is correct. muon charge = −1.6 × 10−19 C 3.10 GeV/c = 1.65 × 10–18 N s (3)
January 2022, Unit 5, Q17(a) (3 marks): Explain how an alternating current in the coil causes the cone to oscillate with the frequency of the alternating current. (3)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): The diagram shows a current‑carrying wire at an angle θ to a uniform magnetic field. wire θ Which of the following graphs shows how the force F on the wire vari
October 2021, Unit 4, Q18(b) (3 marks): Explain how the diagram shows that the anti‑muon is travelling in a clockwise path. (3)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q18(c) (1 mark): State the direction of the magnetic field acting in the detector. (1)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q18(d) (3 marks): The momentum of the pion is 1.2 × 10–19 N s. Calculate the radius of the path of the pion. magnetic flux density = 3.5 T (3) Radius =
June 2021, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): A proton travelling at speed v enters a magnetic field of magnetic flux density 5.00 T, as shown. path of proton 5.00 T A force of 1.20 × 10–11 N is exerted on
June 2021, Unit 4, Q11(b) (3 marks): When the current in the wire is 1.1 A, the wire is at an angle of 10º to the vertical. The length of the wire in the horizontal magnetic field is 3.5 cm. 10° 0.
June 2021, Unit 4, Q18(b) (3 marks): Deduce the direction of the magnetic field. (3) Direction of magnetic field =
June 2021, Unit 4, Q18(c)(ii) (3 marks): For relativistic particles such as this positron, momentum obeys the relationship E = pc where E = particle energy, p = particle momentum and c = speed of light
January 2021, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): A positron and a muon travel at the same speed through a magnetic field. The magnetic field is directed into the page. Which of the following diagrams best repr
January 2021, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): A wire is held firmly in place between two magnets mounted on top of an electric balance as shown. The reading on the balance is 1.500 N. 5 cm wire South pole X
January 2021, Unit 4, Q15(a) (6 marks): Explain the role of electric and magnetic fields in the production of high-speed charged particles by a cyclotron. (6)
January 2021, Unit 4, Q15(b) (4 marks): The cyclotron could produce beams of alpha particles with kinetic energy up to 16 MeV. Calculate the magnetic flux density required by the cyclotron when alpha
October 2020, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): A proton enters a magnetic field at an angle as shown. magnetic field proton Which of the following gives the direction of the force on the proton as it enters
October 2020, Unit 4, Q11 (4 marks): The photograph shows a model electric motor. Y 20° North South P X A coil of wire is mounted between two magnets. When there is a current in the coil, it rotate
October 2020, Unit 4, Q18(d) (4 marks): Electrons emerging from a standing wave linac must be directed towards the patient. Magnets are used to rotate the path of the electron beam through 270°. elect
January 2020, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): A current-carrying wire is placed between two magnetic poles as shown. The magnetic flux density in the region between the poles is 0.070 T. N 1.5 A 6.5 cm S 5.
January 2020, Unit 4, Q19(a)(i) (3 marks): Derive this expression. (3)
January 2020, Unit 4, Q19(a)(ii) (4 marks): In Lawrence’s cyclotron, an alternating potential difference was used to accelerate particles to high energies. Explain the significance of the expression obtai
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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