Electromagnetic induction: Edexcel International GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Physics exam question on Electromagnetic induction (specification points 6.15–6.20), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 81 questions on Electromagnetic induction, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking input (primary) voltage, output (secondary) voltage and the turns ratio for a transformer. (1)
June 2025, Paper 2, Q7(a)(ii) (3 marks): Use data from the table to calculate the output (secondary) voltage of the transformer. (3) output (secondary) voltage = V
June 2025, Paper 2, Q7(a)(iii) (5 marks): This transformer is not 100% efficient. The efficiency of a transformer can be calculated using the formula efficiency = useful output power × 100% total input
June 2025, Paper 2, Q7(b) (5 marks): Explain how transformers are used in the efficient, large‑scale transmission of electrical energy. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (5)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how this new type of shock absorber can generate electricity. (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(iii) (3 marks): Road X has a rough surface. Road Y has a smooth surface. (Source: © MikhailSh / Shutterstock) (Source: © BearFotos / Shutterstock) Road X Road Y A motorcycle tr
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a) (3 marks): Describe the structure of a step‑up transformer. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking input power and output power for a transformer that is 100% efficient. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the output voltage of the transformer. (3) output voltage = V
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a) (2 marks): When the coil rotates in the direction of the arrow, the ammeter displays a small current. Explain how the generator produces a current. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the current in the battery will change if the wind speed increases. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a) (3 marks): The diagram shows a power station and a school. Add to the diagram by drawing the structures needed to efficiently transfer energy from the power station to the
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b) (3 marks): Explain how the amount of current in the transmission cables increases the efficiency of the transmission of electricity. (3)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain how electricity is generated by the generator. (3)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): At night the power station does not need to generate as much electricity. Suggest how the output of this generator could be reduced. (1)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q4(b) (6 marks): Explain how a transformer works. In your answer, include reasons for using • two coils • the iron core • an a.c. power supply (6)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q4(c) (1 mark): State how the primary coil of the transformer can be changed to increase the output voltage. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q12(b)(ii) (3 marks): Alternating current is supplied to the transmitter coil. Diagram 2 shows a gold ring in the soil below the metal detector. metal detector air soil ring Diagram
June 2023, Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why a step-up transformer is used to supply the National Grid. (2)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): This is the label on the step-up transformer. input voltage = 15 kV output voltage = 340 kV number of turns on primary coil = 1400 State the formula linking inp
June 2023, Paper 2, Q6(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil of the step‑up transformer. (3) number of turns =
June 2023, Paper 2, Q6(b) (3 marks): Solar panels produce constant direct current (d.c.). Explain why a transformer will not work when connected to constant direct current. (3)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q2(d)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why a voltage is induced between the ends of the metal wire as it moves between the poles of the bar magnets. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q2(d)(ii) (2 marks): State two changes that could be made to this arrangement that would increase the magnitude of the induced voltage. (2) 1 2
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q11(c)(i) (2 marks): When the wire is moved, a current is detected. Explain which direction the wire is moved in the magnetic field to produce a current in the wire. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q11(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why a current is produced in the wire when the wire is moved in the magnetic field. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): Explain how the information in the label shows that the transformer is a step‑down transformer. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b) (3 marks): Show that the transformer is approximately 100% efficient. (3)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking input voltage, output voltage and turns ratio for a transformer. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): The primary coil has 1500 turns. Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil. (3) turns on secondary coil =
June 2022, Paper 1, Q12(a) (1 mark): Photograph 1 shows part of an ammeter that can measure very small currents. Photograph 1 A student moves a wire between the poles of a strong magnet and uses th
June 2022, Paper 1, Q12(b)(i) (1 mark): Predict a value for the current if the movement of the wire was repeated with the poles of the magnet reversed. (1) current = mA
June 2022, Paper 1, Q12(b)(ii) (1 mark): Predict a value for the current if the wire is moved faster between the poles of the magnet. (1) current = mA
June 2022, Paper 2, Q3(c) (4 marks): Both chargers contain step-down transformers. Explain how a step-down transformer works. You may include a diagram to support your answer. (4)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (3 marks): A voltage is induced in the copper rod as the trolley moves through the magnetic field. Explain why the sign of the voltmeter reading changes as the trolley mov
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the magnitude of the induced voltage might change. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a) (4 marks): There is a step-up transformer at the power station end of a transmission line and a step-down transformer at a distant town. Explain why step-up transformers a
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking the input voltage, the output voltage and the turns ratio for a transformer. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): The primary coil on a step-up transformer has 3300 turns. Calculate the number of turns required on the transformer’s secondary coil to step up the voltage from
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): The iron core of a transformer is an electrical conductor. When the transformer is in use, the primary coil causes a changing magnetic field in the iron core. T
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(a) (3 marks): Shaking the torch causes the magnet to move up and down inside the coil of wire. Explain why the movement of the magnet causes a current in the coil. (3)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(b) (2 marks): Using a stronger magnet could increase the current in the coil of wire. State two other factors that could increase the current in the coil. (2) 1 2
November 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking the input (primary) voltage, output (secondary) voltage and the turns ratio for a transformer. (1)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): The input voltage to the transformer is 115 V. Show that the output voltage is approximately 20 V. (3)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (3 marks): The input current to the transformer is 1.2 A. Calculate the output current. Assume that the transformer is 100% efficient. (3) output current = . . . . . . . .
November 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(iv) (2 marks): State two factors that would increase the output current of the transformer. (2) 1 2
June 2021, Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): The wire is moved up and down repeatedly in the magnetic field. Explain the effect that this movement has on the ammeter reading. (3)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain the effects on the ammeter reading of moving the wire with the same amplitude but at a higher frequency. (4)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): The fusion power station could supply the input coil of the step-up transformer with a current of 28 kA at a voltage of 21 kV. The output coil of the transforme
January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of a suitable metal that could be used in the core of the transformer. (1)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking input power and output power for a transformer. (1)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): The step‑down transformer has an input voltage of 275 kV and an output voltage of 230 V. The transformer has an output current of 95 A. Calculate the input curr
January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b) (5 marks): Explain how transformers are useful in the large‑scale transmission of electricity. You may draw a diagram to support your answer. (5)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b) (2 marks): The diagram shows a loop of wire connected to the terminals of a voltmeter. magnet voltmeter Explain why the voltmeter reading changes from zero when the magnet
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q8(a) (4 marks): Explain the operation of a step‑down transformer. (4)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking input voltage, output voltage and the turns ratio of a transformer. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the output voltage for the transformer. (3) voltage = V
November 2020, Paper 1, Q9(a) (3 marks): The diagram shows the part of the radio called a generator. The generator produces a voltage which does electrical work on the battery. N coil magnet S connecte
November 2020, Paper 2, Q8(a) (1 mark): State the name of this type of transformer. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q8(b) (1 mark): State the formula linking the turns ratio, the input voltage and the output voltage for a transformer. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q8(c)(i) (5 marks): Use information from the table to calculate the output current of the transformer. Assume that the transformer is 100% efficient. (5) current = A
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(i) (4 marks): The dynamo is connected to the lights on the bicycle. Explain how the dynamo causes the lights to turn on when the bicycle is moving. (4)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a disadvantage of using the dynamo to power the bicycle lights. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q8(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the wireless charging base charges the battery of the mobile phone. (3)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q8(c)(ii) (2 marks): Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a high current in the wireless charging base. (2)
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking input voltage, output voltage, number of primary turns and number of secondary turns for a transformer. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil. (3) number of turns =
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b) (4 marks): Explain why step-up and step-down transformers are used in the large-scale transmission of electricity. You may draw a diagram to support your answer. (4)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Plot a graph of the student’s results on the grid. (1)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a curve of best fit. (1) 40 30 Output voltage in V 20 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 Number of turns on primary coil
June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe the relationship between the output voltage and the number of turns on the primary coil. (2)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking input and output voltages and the turns ratio for the transformer. (1)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): The input voltage of the transformer is 6.8 V. Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil. (2) number of turns =
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a) (1 mark): The diagram shows a typical transformer. primary coil secondary coil core State the name given to this type of transformer. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest how the student could improve the reliability of his investigation. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): These are the student’s results. number of turns = 100, number of turns = 400, output voltage = 1.3 V output voltage = 5.0 V number of turns = 200, number of tu
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest how the student could improve the precision of his voltage measurement. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): The student plots one of his results incorrectly. Draw a circle around the incorrectly plotted result on the graph. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(c)(ii) (1 mark): Draw the line of best fit. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(c)(iii) (2 marks): Describe the relationship shown by the graph. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q6(d) (4 marks): The primary coil has 1200 turns. Using the student’s data, calculate the primary voltage used in his investigation. (4) primary voltage = V

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