Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Electric Fields & Field Lines (CIE A Level Physics)

Exam Questions

42 mins5 questions
1a
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2 marks

State what is indicated by the direction of an electric field line.

1b
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3 marks

On Fig. 1.1, draw field lines to represent the electric field acting between the two charges.

 

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Fig. 1.1

1c
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3 marks

On Fig. 1.2, draw field lines to represent the electric field acting between the two charges.

 

 5-1-3c-qun-sl-sq-easy-phy

 

 

Fig. 1.2

1d
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2 marks

Gravitational fields and electric fields share many similarities. One similarity is that Newton's law of gravitation applies to point masses, and Coulomb's law applies to point charges.

State a difference between gravitational forces and electric forces.

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2a
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3 marks
(i)
Explain what is meant by an electric field.
[1]
(ii)
State and explain whether electric field strength is a scalar or a vector quantity.
[2]
2b
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1 mark

Fig. 1.1 shows a negative ion which is free to move in a uniform electric field. 

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Fig. 1.1

State the direction of the force acting on the negative ion.

2c
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2 marks

An electric field does 3.6 × 10–17 J of work on the negative ion to accelerate it through a distance of 75 mm.

Show that the electric force acting on the negative ion is 4.8 × 10–16 N.

2d
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3 marks

The magnitude of the electric field strength is 1.5 × 103 N C−1.

(i)
Calculate the charge on the ion.
[2]
(ii)
Deduce the number of electrons lost by the atom.
[1]

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1a
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2 marks

Fig 1.1 shows an electron in a uniform electric field.

18-1-m-q1a-sq-cie-ial-physics

Fig 1.1

State the direction in which the electron will accelerate in the field and explain why this happens.

1b
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3 marks

The strength of the electric field is 2.5 pN C–1.

Calculate the acceleration of the electron through the field.

1c
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2 marks

Explain how the acceleration changes if a proton is accelerated instead.

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2a
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4 marks

An electron and positron are on the same straight line as shown in Fig 1.3. 

18-1-m-q2a-sq-cie-ial-physics

Fig 1.3

State the direction of the electric force at points

(i)
A
(ii)
B
(iii)
C
(iv)
D.
2b
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1 mark

Calculate the force on the positron if it was accelerated through an electric field with a strength of 5.6 kV m–1.

2c
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2 marks

Fig 1.2 shows the positron near a negatively charged metal plate.

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Fig 1.2

Sketch the field lines from the positron.

2d
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2 marks

The positron is now replaced with a charge of +4e instead as shown in Fig 1.3.

18-1-m-q2d-sq-cie-ial-physics

Fig 1.3

Sketch the field lines of the +4e.

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3a
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2 marks

A potential difference is applied between two metal plates that are not parallel, as shown in Fig 1.1.

non-parallel-plates

Fig 1.1

Sketch the electric field lines between the plates.

3b
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2 marks

A proton is placed between the plates in Fig 1.1.

(i)
Identify where the proton needs to be to experience the greatest electric force. Label this point X. 
(ii)
Sketch the direction the proton accelerates in at this point. 
3c
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3 marks

Calculate the acceleration of the proton when placed in a uniform electric field of field strength 6.0 × 10–2 V m–1.

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