Electric charge: past paper questions

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row about electrical conduction in metals is correct?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Object 1 is given a negative charge and placed on a balance. Object 2, which is also charged, is brought close to object 1 and the reading on the balance changes as shown. Which action would further decrease the reading on the balance?

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• Question 28May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains why copper is a good electrical conductor?

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth. The rod becomes positively charged because of the movement of charged particles. Which row gives the name of these charged particles and the direction in which they move?

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A metal sphere is attached to the top of an insulated rod. A negatively charged rod is held close to one side of the metal sphere. The other side of the metal sphere is earthed.

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  There is a current of $0.60\text{ A}$ in a closed circuit. How much charge passes a point in the circuit in $2.5\text{ min}$?

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In the diagram, rod R is suspended from an insulating thread. When the positively charged rod Q is brought close to rod R, rod R moves away from rod Q. Which conclusion can be made from this observation?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A positive ion in a vacuum moves at a steady speed in a straight line. There is a potential difference between the two parallel metal plates P and Q so that they are oppositely charged. When the positive ion enters the region between plates P and Q, it changes direction as shown.

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which substances both contain large concentrations of free electrons?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Why does a plastic rod become negatively charged when it is rubbed with a cloth?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a charged sphere and the direction of the electric field at point X due to the sphere. An electron is placed at point Y. Which diagram shows the direction of the force acting on the electron due to the charged sphere?

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 41Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A metal sphere is suspended vertically by an insulating thread. The sphere is charged. The charge causes an electric field around the sphere.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student has six metal bars. The bars are all the same size. Four of the bars are magnets, one is a bar of unmagnetised steel and the other is a bar of copper metal.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  A student tests various materials to determine whether they are electrical conductors or insulators.

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes the direction of an electric field at a point?

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Complete the definition of an ‘electric field’.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows black solar panels installed on the roof of a house and a large rechargeable battery. The solar panels produce electricity and give a maximum power output of $3.5\text{ kW}$.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 represents charges on an acetate strip and on a dry cloth. Both the acetate strip and the dry cloth are electrically neutral. The student charges the acetate strip by using the dry cloth.

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• Question 26May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two charged rods, X and Y, are brought, in turn, near to a negatively charged rod. X is attracted by the negatively charged rod, and Y is repelled.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 43Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 5.1 shows a metal sphere S. The sphere has been charged with a negative charge. There is an electric field around sphere S. On Fig. 5.1, draw four field lines to show the pattern of the field and indicate the direction of the field with arrows on the lines.

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• Question 25May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which material is a good electrical conductor?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A plastic rod is uncharged. When the rod is rubbed with a woollen cloth, the rod becomes negatively charged. Explain, in terms of particles, why the rod becomes negatively charged.

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• Question 25May/June 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row describes an electric field and its direction?

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows an isolated metal sphere suspended by an insulating thread from the ceiling. The sphere is negatively charged. The charge on the sphere produces an electric field in the surroundings.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 43Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows the electric field pattern around point X. On Fig. 7.1, draw an arrow to indicate the direction of the force on a negative point charge placed at point Y.

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 43Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows two charged metal plates. X marks the position of the centre of the space between the plates. On Fig. 7.1, draw at least four field lines to show the pattern and the direction of the electric field between the two charged plates.

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• Question 24May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth. The rod and the cloth both become charged as electrons move between them. The rod becomes negatively charged.

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 42Structured10 marks

  State what is meant by an electric field.

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• Question 27May/June 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A battery is connected to a circuit. It is switched on for $1.0\text{ minute}$. During that time, there is a current of $0.40\text{ A}$ in the circuit and the battery supplies a total of $48\text{ J}$ of energy.

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• Question 27May/June 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  An electric fire is connected to a $240\mathrm{V}$ supply and transfers energy at a rate of $1.0\mathrm{k}\mathrm{W}$. How much charge passes through the fire in $1.0\mathrm{h}$?

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