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Electric Potential (AQA A Level Physics): Exam Questions

Exam code: 7408

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Electric Potential

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11 mark

Which one of the following statements about electric potential is correct?

  • Electric potential is a vector quantity

  • Electric potential is a scalar quantity

  • Electric potential is not zero unless the electric field strength is zero

  • The potential gradient is inversely proportional to the electric field strength 

Choose your answer

21 mark

The potentials at points X and Y due to the +3.0 nC charge are 629 V and 413 V, respectively.

7-5-mcq--q2-easy-aqa-a-level-physics

What is the change in electrical potential energy for the 3.0 nC charge moving from X to Y?

  • 120 space nJ

  • 190 space nJ

  • 370 space nJ

  • 650 space nJ

Choose your answer

31 mark

What is the electric potential at an infinite distance away from a point charge?

  • negative infinity

  • 1

  • infinity

  • 0

Choose your answer

41 mark

Which of these is the standard unit for the change in electric potential?

  • V

  • J kg–1

  • J C–1

  • J

Choose your answer

51 mark

Which of the diagrams is not an accurate representation of equipotential lines?

7-5-mcq--q5-easy-aqa-a-level-physics

    Choose your answer

    11 mark

    Two charges, R and S, are 100 mm apart.

    7-5-mcq--q1-medium-aqa-a-level-physics

    X is a point on the line between R and S. If the potential at X is 0 V, what is the distance from S to X?

    • 30 mm

    • 70 mm

    • 50 mm

    • 60 mm

    Choose your answer

    21 mark

    What is the distance from a 9.5 µC point charge where the electric potential is equal to 21 MJ C–1.

    • 64 mm

    • 4.1 µm

    • 2.0 mm

    • 4.1 mm

    Choose your answer

    31 mark

    An electron and an alpha particle are 3.0 nm apart. In the absence of other charges, what is the electric potential energy of the electron?

    • –1.5 × 10–19 J

    • +1.5 × 10–19 J

    • –5.1 × 10–11 J

    • +5.1 × 10–11 J

    Choose your answer

    41 mark

    The diagram below shows the field lines and equipotential lines around an isolated negative point charge.

    7-5-mcq--q4-medium-aqa-a-level-physics

    Which one of the following statements when a small charge is moved in the field is incorrect?

    • The work done on the charge is the same when moved from either Q to P or R to S

    • The charge has a larger potential energy at Q than at S

    • Twice as much work is done on the charge when it is moved from Q to R than from P to S

    • The charge has a larger electric potential energy at R than at S

    Choose your answer

    51 mark

    Two horizontal parallel plate conductors are separated by air. The lower plate is earthed and the potential of the upper plate is +70 V. An ion is placed midway between the plates.

    7-5-mcq--q5-medium-aqa-a-level-physics

    What is the electric potential energy of the ion?

    • 6.4 × 10–17 J

    • 2.2 × 10–17 J

    • 5.8 × 10–17 J

    • 1.1 × 10–17 J

    Choose your answer

    11 mark

    Two points charges of +4Q and –Q are placed 150 mm apart. 

    Which of the following graphs shows the variation of the potential V against the distance x along the line joining the two point charges?

    7-5-mcq--q2-medium-aqa-a-level-physics

      Choose your answer

      21 mark

      Two identical negative point charges, P and Q, are separated by a distance of 6.0 mm. The resultant electric potential at point M, which is mid–way between the charges, is –40 V.

      7-5-mcq--q3-medium-aqa-a-level-physics

      What would be the resultant electrical potential at a point 2.0 mm closer to Q?

      • –90 V

      • –72 V

      • –48 V

      • –60 V

      Choose your answer

      31 mark

      The diagram shows four point charges at the corners of a square of side 4a.

      7-5-mcq--q4-hard-aqa-a-level-physics

      What is the electric potential at P, the centre of the square?

      • negative fraction numerator Q over denominator pi epsilon subscript 0 square root of 2 a end fraction

      • negative fraction numerator Q over denominator 2 pi epsilon subscript 0 square root of 2 a end fraction

      • negative fraction numerator Q over denominator 2 pi epsilon subscript 0 a end fraction

      • negative fraction numerator Q over denominator 4 pi epsilon subscript 0 a end fraction

      Choose your answer

      41 mark

      The diagram shows a uniform electric field in which equipotential lines are placed 3.0 cm apart.

      7-5-mcq--q5-hard-aqa-a-level-physics

      A charge of –6.0 nC is placed at the equipotential line X. 

      Which of the following statements is correct? 

      • The charge is in an electric field directed from Z to X and has a gain of 4.8 × 10–7 J of kinetic energy moving from X to Z

      • The charge is in an electric field directed from X to Y and has a loss of 2.4 × 10–7 J of kinetic energy moving from Y to Z

      • The charge is in an electric field directed from X to Y and has a gain of 1.2 × 10–7 J of kinetic energy moving from Y to Z

      • The charge is in an electric field directed from X to Z and has a loss of 1.2 × 10–7 J of kinetic energy moving from Y to Z

      Choose your answer