Electromagnetic Effects (Cambridge O Level Physics)

Exam Questions

3 hours44 questions
1a
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1 mark

Identify which of the following metals can be permanently magnetised. Place a tick (✓) in the box next to any correct metal.

   

square  aluminium

square  copper

square  steel

square  tungsten
1b
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2 marks

Two metal rods are thought to be permanent magnets. Describe the test you would carry out to confirm that both rods are permanent magnets.

1c
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5 marks
(i)
Describe how to make an electromagnet. You may draw a labelled diagram to help your answer.
[3]
 
(ii)
Suggest two factors that affect the strength of the magnetic field of an electromagnet.
[2]

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2a
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3 marks

Fig. 11.1 shows a relay.cie-2019-17

The statements describe the action of a relay. They are not in the correct order.

 
P      Current in the coil creates an electromagnet.
Q      Secondary circuit is completed.
R      Armature pivots, closing the contacts.
S      Part C attracts the armature.
T      The switch in the primary circuit is closed.

 
Place the statements in the correct order. One has been done for you.

 
    S    

2b
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2 marks

Fig. 11.1 includes the part labelled C, which is made from a metal.

State the name of the metal and explain why this metal is used in the electromagnet.

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3a
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3 marks
Fig. 11.1 shows a diagram of an electrical device. The diagram is not complete. The coil rotates in a magnetic field when connected to a d.c. power supply.
screenshot-2022-10-27-at-16-47-57
(i)
Explain the meaning of the term d.c.
[1]
 
(ii)
Complete the diagram in Fig. 11.1 by drawing the symbols for two cells in series and a switch to make a circuit.
[2]
3b
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3 marks
(i)
State the name of the electrical device shown in Fig. 11.1.
[1]
 
(ii)
State two changes to the electrical device that will make the coil in the device rotate faster.
[2]

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4a
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6 marks

Fig. 11.1 represents a transformer.

arLbM18M_q11a

(i)
State the name of the part of the transformer labelled Q in Fig. 11.1.
[1]
 
(ii)
In Fig. 11.1, part P is made from a metal.
 
1. State the metal used to make part P. ..........................................................................
 
2. State the term given to part P. .......................................................................................
[2]
 
(iii)
There is an alternating current (a.c.) in the primary coil.
 
Describe what this current produces in part P.
[2]
 
(iv)
Complete the sentence using terms from the box.
 
more fewer step-up step-down

 

When there are ......................... turns in the primary coil than in Q, the device is called a ......................... transformer.

[1]
 
4b
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2 marks

The high-voltage transmission of electricity uses transformers.

Describe two advantages of transmitting electricity at high voltages rather than at low voltages.

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5a
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3 marks

Fig. 11.1 shows a coil (solenoid) wrapped around a plastic tube. There is a current in the coil.

The arrows show the direction of the current in the coil.

e_BbKVvu_q11a

On Fig. 11.1, draw the pattern of the magnetic field lines around the coil.

Add arrows to show the direction of the magnetic field.

5b
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1 mark

A long soft iron bar is placed inside the plastic tube. There is a current in the coil. This forms a device. State the name of the device.

5c
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4 marks

Fig. 11.2 shows a relay operated by switch S.

q11c

Using Fig. 11.2, describe how closing the switch, S, causes the electric motor to operate.

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1a
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2 marks

Fig. 10.1 is a simplified top view of a flat coil. There is an alternating current (a.c.) in the coil.

coil
Describe the magnetic effect of this alternating current.

1b
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1 mark

Fig. 10.2 shows a pan placed above the coil. The base of the pan is made of steel.

  

pan
State what quantity is induced in the base of the pan.

1c
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3 marks

The pan contains water.


State and explain the effect of the quantity induced in part (b) on the temperature of the water in the pan.

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2a
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1 mark

Fig. 11.1 shows in each of the diagrams a current-carrying conductor and a magnetic field pattern.

 
current-carrying-conductor

State the diagram which correctly shows the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor.

2b
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5 marks

Fig. 11.2 shows three pieces of equipment.

coils
(i)
Describe how to generate and detect an electromotive force (e.m.f.) using the equipment in Fig. 11.2. You may draw a diagram.
[3]
 
(ii)
Describe two changes that will generate a larger e.m.f. using similar equipment to that in Fig. 11.2.
[2]

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3a
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5 marks

Fig. 9.1 shows a simple direct current (d.c.) electric motor. The coil rotates about the axis when there is a current in the coil. The coil is connected to the rest of the circuit by the brushes.

q9a

(i)
On Fig. 9.1, draw a pair of arrows to show which way the coil rotates. Explain the direction you have chosen.
[3]
 
(ii)
On Fig. 9.1, draw an arrow to show the direction in which electrons flow through the coil.
[1]
 
(iii)
Explain why the electrons flow in the direction you have shown in (a)(ii).
[1]
3b
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3 marks

State any difference each of the following changes makes to the rotation of the coil in Fig. 9.1:

 
(i)
changing the polarity of the power supply to that shown in Fig. 9.2
 
q9bi
[1]
 
(ii)
changing the coil to the new coil shown in Fig. 9.3
q9bii
[1]
 
(iii)
using a stronger magnetic field.
[1]

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4a
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3 marks
Two bar magnets are placed next to each other as shown in Fig. 9.1.
screenshot-2022-10-27-at-16-34-12
Magnet A is slowly moved towards magnet B. This causes magnet B to move away from magnet A.
   
(i)
On Fig. 9.1, suggest the poles of each bar magnet.
   
Label N and S on each of the magnets.
[1]
 
(ii)
State the term used to describe the direction of the forces acting between magnet A and magnet B.
[1]
 
(iii)
Magnet B is removed and replaced with a steel bar of the same size.
  
Describe what happens when magnet A is slowly moved towards the steel bar.
[1]
4b
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5 marks

A student makes an electromagnet. He places an iron rod inside a coil of wire and connects
the coil to a d.c. power supply, as shown in Fig. 9.2.

screenshot-2022-10-27-at-16-37-58
(i)
The switch is closed so there is a current in the coil. The S pole of a bar magnet is placed near to each end of the iron rod in turn.
   
Suggest what happens at each end of the iron rod and give a reason for your predictions.
[2]
 
(ii)
The student removes the iron rod from the coil. The student places a steel rod inside the coil. He closes the switch and the steel rod becomes a magnet. He then opens the switch.
  
The student removes the steel rod and moves it close to the iron rod.
  
Describe and explain what happens as the two rods are moved close together.
[2]
 
(iii)
State one use for an electromagnet.
[1]

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5a
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3 marks

A student has a model electric railway. The model railway uses a step-down transformer.

 
The input voltage is 230 V. The transformer has 1710 turns on the input coil and 90 turns on the output coil.

 
Calculate the output voltage of the transformer.

 
 
 
 
 
output voltage = ....................................................... V 
5b
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2 marks

A step-up transformer is used to increase voltage.


Step-up transformers and step-down transformers have different coil arrangements.

 
Describe the differences in the coil arrangement for the two types of transformer.

5c
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2 marks

Explain the advantage of transmitting electricity at high voltages, rather than at low voltages.

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6a
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1 mark

A transformer consists of two coils of wire wound on a metal core. Fig. 10.1 represents the transformer.

18p4-10a

State the name of the metal from which the core is made.

6b
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5 marks

Extended

The primary coil of the transformer is connected to the output voltage of an a.c. generator which supplies an alternating current.

 
(i)
Explain why there is a voltage between the two terminals of the secondary coil.
[3]
 
(ii)

There are 560 turns on the primary coil and 910 turns on the secondary coil of the transformer. The voltage between the two terminals of the secondary coil is 78 V.

Calculate the voltage supplied by the a.c. generator.

 

 

 generator voltage = ............................................................[2]

6c
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2 marks

Transformers are used to increase the voltage when electrical energy is transmitted in cables across long distances.

 
Explain why power losses in the cables are lower when the voltage is high.

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7a
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2 marks

A student moves a metal bar upwards between the poles of a magnet, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

q6-cie-ol-physics-paper-2-2021-sq

Fig. 6.1

The ammeter connected to the metal bar shows a small positive reading as the bar moves.

Explain why there is a reading on the ammeter.

7b
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3 marks

Complete Table 6.1 by stating what the ammeter shows when the metal bar moves in the direction shown by the arrow in each diagram.

Table 6.1

q6b-cie-ol-physics-paper-2-2021-sq

7c
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1 mark

The student finds that using a stronger magnet increases the reading on the ammeter.

State one other way in which the student can produce a larger reading on the ammeter, using the same rod.

7d
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1 mark

Describe how Lenz’s law applies when the bar is moved upwards.

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8a
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3 marks

Fig. 7.1 shows a horizontal, current-carrying wire PQ in the gap between the poles of a permanent magnet.

q7-cie-ol-physics-specimen-paper-2-sq

Fig. 7.1

(i)
There is a magnetic field in the gap between the N pole and the S pole. 

 The current in PQ is from left to right. 

 Describe the effect of the magnetic field on PQ.

[2]

(ii)
State the effect on PQ of increasing the strength of the magnetic field in the gap.

[1]

8b
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5 marks

Fig. 7.2 shows part of a torch. The torch does not contain a battery.

q7b-cie-ol-physics-specimen-paper-2-sq

Fig. 7.2

The torch is shaken and this causes the magnet to move backwards and forwards through the coil.
 

(i)
Explain why an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is induced across the coil when the magnet moves.

[2]

(ii)
State one way to increase the e.m.f. induced.

. [1]

(iii)

As the magnet moves into the coil, the induced e.m.f. produces a current in the coil. 

Explain how this opposes the motion of the magnet.

 [2]

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1a
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4 marks

A teacher demonstrates electromagnetic induction using the apparatus shown in Fig.10.1.

feb-march-2018-32-q10

The teacher pulls the magnet down until one end is inside the coil. The teacher then releases the magnet. The magnet moves up and down repeatedly. As it moves, one end of the magnet enters and leaves the coil.

 
Describe and explain the readings on the centre-zero millivoltmeter as the magnet enters and leaves the coil.

1b
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2 marks

Fig.10.2 shows a system for transmitting electricity from a power station.

 
feb-march-2018-32-q10b

 

State the name of the device used in X and the name of the device used in Y.

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2a
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3 marks

A student is experimenting with electromagnetic effects.

Describe an experiment, using any standard laboratory equipment, to demonstrate electromagnetic induction. You may draw a diagram.

2b
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5 marks

Fig. 11.1 shows a transformer connected to an input voltage of 12 V a.c.

screenshot-2022-10-14-at-09-29-19

(i)
State the name of a suitable material for the core of the transformer.

[1]

(ii)
Explain how the diagram in Fig. 11.1 shows a step-up transformer.

[1]

(iii)
Using the information in Fig. 11.1, calculate the output voltage of the transformer.
 
output voltage = ...................................................... V [3]

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3a
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3 marks

Fig. 10.1 shows a straight wire AB placed in the magnetic field between the poles of a magnet.

 
The ends of AB are connected to a galvanometer.

feb-march-2018-42-q10

When AB is moved vertically, the needle of the galvanometer shows a deflection.

 
State three factors that affect the size of the deflection.

3b
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3 marks

Extended

Fig. 10.2 shows a transformer.

feb-march-2018-42-q10b
(i)

The primary coil P has 8000 turns and an input of 240 V. The secondary coil S has an output of 12 V.

Calculate the number of turns in the secondary coil.

 

 

number = ......................................................... [2]

 

(ii)
A circuit containing a resistor is connected to the terminals A and B.
 
A direct current (d.c.) is required in this resistor.
 
On Fig. 10.1, draw this circuit.
[1]

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4a
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7 marks

A student makes a transformer that uses an alternating current (a.c.) supply with an electromotive force (e.m.f.) of 12.0 V to induce an output potential difference (p.d.) of 2.0 V.

 
The student is provided with two lengths of insulated wire and the U-shaped piece of iron shown in Fig. 7.1.

may-june-2020-42-q7
(i)
Complete and label Fig. 7.1 to show the transformer connected to the supply and the output from the transformer.
[3]
 
(ii)
Explain the function of the piece of iron in the transformer.
[2]
 
(iii)

The output of the transformer is connected to a lamp. The current in the lamp is 100 mA.

The transformer is 100% efficient.

Calculate the input current to the transformer.

 

 

current = ......................................................... [2]

4b
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2 marks

Another transformer is used in a school laboratory to step down a mains supply with a p.d. of 110 V to 12 V. This transformer is mounted in a metal case.

 
State and explain an essential safety feature required for this arrangement.

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5
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5 marks

Fig. 11.1 shows a vertical conductor passing through a horizontal piece of card.q11a

(i)
On Fig. 11.1, draw a cell and a switch in series with the conductor to form a complete circuit.
 
Use the correct circuit symbols.
[2]
   
(ii)
A student sprinkles iron filings onto the card and closes the switch. There is a current in the conductor. Describe the pattern of the magnetic field seen.
[2]
  
(iii)
The student reverses the direction of the current in the conductor. State the effect, if any, on the pattern he sees.
[1]

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6a
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3 marks

A student wants to demagnetise a permanent bar magnet. She suggests these steps:

1. Place the magnet in a long coil.
2. Switch on a large alternating current in the coil.
3. Switch off the current.
4. Remove the bar from the coil.

State and explain whether the steps will always be able to demagnetise the magnet.

6b
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6 marks
(i)
Fig. 9.1 shows a coil supplied with current using a split-ring commutator.
 
q9-split-ring-commutator
State and explain any motion of the coil.
[3]
 
(ii)

The coil in Fig. 9.1 consists of three turns of wire. The magnetic field strength of the magnet is M. With a current of 2.0 A in the coil, the coil experiences a turning effect T.

The first row of Table 9.1 shows this data.

q9-

Complete Table 9.1 to give the turning effect for the changes made to the arrangement shown in Fig. 9.1.

Choose your answers from the box.

q9-options

[3]

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7a
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2 marks

Explain why the voltage of the supply to the primary coil of a transformer must be alternating.

7b
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5 marks

Fig. 10.1 shows a transformer.

q10b-

There are 8000 turns in the primary coil of the transformer. The primary coil is connected to a 240 V mains supply. A 6.0 V lamp connected to the secondary coil operates at full brightness.

 
(i)

Calculate the number of turns in the secondary coil

 

 

number of turns = ...........................................................[2]
 
(ii)

The current in the lamp is 2.0A. The transformer operates with 100% efficiency.

Calculate the current in the primary circuit.

 

 

current = ...........................................................[2]

 

(iii)

The primary circuit contains a 6.0 A fuse.

Calculate the maximum number of lamps, identical to the lamp in (ii), that can be connected in parallel in the secondary circuit without blowing the fuse.

 

 

number of lamps = ...........................................................[1]

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8a
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4 marks

Fig. 9.1 shows a coil ABCD with two turns. The coil is in a magnetic field.

q9

When there is a current in the coil, the coil experiences a turning effect.

 
(i)
Explain why there is a turning effect.
[1]
 
(ii)

The value of the current is 3 A. Place one tick in each column of the table to indicate how the turning effect changes with the change described.

q9b

[3]
8b
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4 marks

Extended

Fig. 9.2 shows a magnet held just below a vertical coil connected to a galvanometer.

 
q9c

The magnet is released.

 
(i)
State any effect on the galvanometer.
[2]
 
(ii)
State any effect on the magnetic field produced by the coil.
[2]

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