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Static and charge: OCR GCSE Physics A questions

Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P3.1 Static and charge, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,619 questions

  1. Q8

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  2. Q9

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  3. Q18(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  4. Q18(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  5. Q18(a)(iii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  6. Q18(b)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  7. Q18(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 3 Higher

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  8. Q5

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  9. Q7

    June 2023 · Paper 3 Higher

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  10. Q22(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3 Higher

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  11. Q22(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 3 Higher

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  12. Q22(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 3 Higher

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  13. Q10

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  14. Q4

    June 2022 · Paper 3 Higher

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  15. Q2

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  16. Q4

    November 2021 · Paper 3 Higher

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  17. Q22(a)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  18. Q22(a)(ii)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  19. Q22(b)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Foundation

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  20. Q22(b)(ii)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Foundation

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All 28 questions on Static and charge, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Which diagram shows the electric field pattern between two parallel metal plates? A B – – – – – – – –– + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ C D –
  2. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Which statement can explain the effects of static electricity? A Atoms are transferred between objects. B Electrons are transferred between objects. C Neutrons
  3. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Describe how a teacher charges a balloon with a cloth. [1]
  4. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): When the teacher charges the balloon, it becomes positively charged. Describe what happens to the charges on the balloon as the balloon becomes positively charg
  5. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why the balloon sticks to a negatively charged rod. [1]
  6. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b) (3 marks): Static electricity can build up in thunderclouds. In one thundercloud the potential difference between the thundercloud and the ground is 5.0 × 108 V. When ligh
  7. June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a) (2 marks): The diagrams show the electric fields between different charges. The charges are the same distance apart in both electric fields. Electric field A Electric fiel
  8. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Which diagram correctly shows a charged balloon attracting a stream of water? A B + – – + –– – –– – + – – –––– – + –––– + – + + – – – + + – + C D – + + – –– – +
  9. June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): Which row describes properties of electric fields and gravitational fields? Electric fields Gravitational fields A attractive only attractive only B attractive
  10. June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the precipitator removes the smoke particles when the gases move upwards through the chimney. Use ideas about charges. [3]
  11. June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why many scientists think these precipitators should be fitted to all factory chimneys. [1]
  12. June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b) (1 mark): The precipitator uses high voltages. Why are high voltages dangerous? [1]
  13. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A student rubs two objects together. The two objects become charged. Type of objects Charges which move A two insulators positive B two insulators negative C tw
  14. June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): A student holds a balloon near a narrow stream of water from a tap. The water is attracted to the balloon. Why does this happen? A The water and the balloon are
  15. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Two charged rods are brought close together. – – – + + + Which of the following explains what happens to the rods? A Like charges attract so the rods move towar
  16. November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Two balloons, A and B, repel each other when placed close together. Which row in the table explains why? Balloon A Balloon B A Equal numbers of protons and elec
  17. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain in terms of electrons why the plastic ruler is not normally charged. [2]
  18. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain in terms of electrons why the ruler becomes charged when the student rubs it with a cloth. [2]
  19. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (3 marks): State the charges of A and B. Use the diagram to explain your answer. [3]
  20. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe one similarity between the electric field line diagram and a magnetic field line diagram. [1]
  21. November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain in terms of electrons why the plastic ruler is not normally charged. [2]
  22. November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain in terms of electrons why the ruler becomes charged when the student rubs it with a cloth. [2]
  23. November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): State the charges of A and B. Use the diagram to explain your answer. [3]
  24. November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe one similarity between the electric field line diagram and a magnetic field line diagram. [1]
  25. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Static electricity can be produced when two materials are rubbed together. Which two types of material could cause static electricity to be produced? A Two insu
  26. June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Look at the field line diagrams for positive and negative charges. A B – + + + C D – – + + Which field line diagram is correct? Your answer [1]
  27. June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(d)(i) (2 marks): A student has completed her homework on static electricity. Look at her homework. 1 Static charge only builds up on insulators. 2 Opposite charges attract. 3 Li
  28. June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a) (3 marks): Explain how the charged rod affects the stream of water. [3]

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