Chapter 5

Answers to examination-style questions

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1 (a) (i) T he electric field strength at a point is 1 Because direction matters, this must be
the force per unit charge . . . defined for a positive test charge. One
acting on a small positive test charge 1 coulomb is a very large amount of
placed at the point. charge, and a test charge of 1 C would
completely distort any field in which it
(ii) E is a vector quantity. 1
was placed. The definition is therefore
per unit charge on a small positive test
charge.
Q1Q2
(b) (i) F = ​ _____   ​ 1 Coulomb’s law gives an equation for the
4πe0r2
force between point charges. A negative
(4.0 × 10−9) × (−8.0 × 10−9)
_________________________ sign in the answer indicates that the force
= ​     
     ​
4p × 8.85 × 10−12 × (80 × 10−3)2 is an attraction. This question only
= (−) 4.50 × 10−5 N 1 requires you to find the magnitude of the
force; therefore the sign does not matter.
(ii) Let x be the distance from the + 4.0 nC 1 So far this question has been about field
charge to the point where V = 0 strength. In part (b)(ii) it now switches to
Q potential. The sum of the potentials due to
use of V = ____
​ 4π e     ​ gives each charge must be zero. If you spotted
0r

(  4.0 × 10−9
0 = ​ ​ _________
4π e0x ) ( 
    
−8.0 × 10−9
​ ​+ ​​ _______________
   )
    ​  ​
4πe0(80 × 10−3 − x) that V ∝ __
Q
​ r ​ , you could move quickly
8
4 ​= _______ 80
giving x = 26.7 mm or 27 mm 1 to ​ __ ​  and x = ___
   ​   ​  3 ​ = 26.7 mm.
x (80 − x)
(c) Diagram drawn to show: 3 If the two charges were equal in
• Two lines with arrows at P, one magnitude but opposite in sign the
representing E4 directed outwards away resultant electric field at P would be
from the 4 nC charge and the other directed horizontally to the right. Since
representing E8 directed inwards towards one charge is twice the other, the
the 8 nC charge resultant is directed slightly upwards and
• E8 twice as long as E4 towards the right. If the two charges were
• Arrowed line R, the correct resultant of equal in both magnitude and sign, the
the parallelogram, drawn through the resultant field at P would be directed
common point of E8 and E4 vertically on the diagram.

2 (a) Let T be the tension in the thread and 1 Alternatively, F can be determined by
resolve vertically: T cos 6° = mg drawing a closed right-angled vector
resolve horizontally: T sin 6° = F 1 triangle, in which mg acts vertically
Dividing these equations gives 1 downwards, F acts horizontally to the
F   ​= ______ right, and T acts along the thread at 6°
​ ___ ​  sin 6°  
​= tan 6° ∴ F = mg tan 6°
mg cos 6° to the vertical. From the sides of this
F   ​= tan 6°.
triangle, ​ ___
mg
(b) (i) Electric field strength 1 The electric field between parallel plates
V 4200 V
E = __
​   ​= ​ ________ = 7.0 × 104 V m−1
  ​  is uniform, allowing the equation E = __
​   ​
d 60 × 10−3 d
(or N C−1) to be used. The unit of E could be
expressed as N C−1, which is equivalent to
V m−1.

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 Chapter 5
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F
(ii) Using E = ​ __ The equation E = __F  ​ follows from the
Q  ​, charge on sphere 1 ​ Q
mg tan 6°
F ​= ________ definition of E as the force per unit
Q = ​ __
E ​  E    ​
  charge. When rearranged, this equation
2.1 × 10−4 × 9.81 × tan 6° becomes F = EQ, which is the electric
= _____________________
​    
 ​   1 counterpart of the gravitational force
7.0 × 104
= 3.09 × 10−9 C equation F = mg.

3 (a) (i) E lectric potential is taken to be zero at 1 Gravitational potential is always

infinity. negative, because gravitational forces are
A positive test charge would gain 1 always attractive. Electric potential is
potential energy as it was moved away defined in terms of the work done on a
from the negative charge and towards small positive test charge. Positive and
infinity. negative charges always attract, like
gravity, causing the electric potential to
be negative near a negative charge.
(ii) T hree radial straight lines drawn so 1 A point charge produces a radial electric
that they all end on the charge at Q. field. The direction of the field at a point
Arrows marked on all of the lines, 1 is the direction of the force that acts on a
pointing inwards to Q positive charge placed at the point.

(b) (i) O n the diagram, which is full size, 1 Four values of potential are marked on
V = −10 V when r = 38 mm the diagram. The corresponding radius
Q could be measured for any of the four,
Use of V = − _____
​ 4πe r gives 1
0 but the circle with the largest radius will
Q
_____________ give the most accurate value for r.
−10 = ​     
4πe0 × 38 × 10−3 Measurement shows that the diameter of
∴Q = −4.23 × 10−11 C the largest circle is 76 mm; hence r =
(other circles may give a slightly 38 mm. Any value for Q consistent with
different, although still acceptable, the corresponding value of r would be
value for Q) accepted for the second mark.
∴ the charge Q is about −4.5 × 10−11 C
Q 4.23 × 10−11
​    2 = ​ _______________
(ii) E = _____      1 This calculation should make use of the
4πe0r 4πe0 × (38 × 10−3)2
values of r and Q that were obtained in
= 263 V m−1 or 260 V m−1 1 part (b)(i). Answers which were
consistent with these values would be
accepted.

(c) (i) p d ∆V = −10 −(−40) = 30 V 1 In moving from A to B, the electron

Energy transferred = Q ∆V 1 moves across a pd of 30 V, as is clear
= 1.60 × 10−19 × 30 = 4.80 × 10−18 J from the values of potential on the
diagram.

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 Chapter 5
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(ii) Relevant points include: any 4 An electron has a negative charge and is
• The electron loses potential energy repelled away from the negative charge
as it moves away from Q. Q. This repulsive force accelerates the
• As it moves away its speed will electron, causing its kinetic energy to
increase. increase and its potential energy to
• Its de Broglie wavelength will decrease. Finally there is a little revision
decrease . . . of AS Physics A Unit 1.
• because its momentum will increase.
h
• De Broglie wavelength = ​ ___    ​
mv

4 (a) (i) Diagram drawn to show: 2 It may not be clear how to find the
• An arrow, horizontal to the right, vertical component of the exit velocity
representing vH (or 20 m s−1) and an until you have drawn the diagram.
arrow from the same point, Simple trigonometry should then lead to
vertically downwards, representing an easy solution for vV.
vV
• An arrow from the same point, at Alternatively, the diagram can be a large
35° to the horizontal, along the scale drawing, with a horizontal vector of
diagonal of the parallelogram 20 m s−1, a resultant velocity vector at
representing the resultant velocity v 35° to it, and a vertical vector that is to be
From the diagram it will be seen that 1 found. vV can be determined from the
vV vV scale drawing, but some tolerance would
​ __ ​ = ___ ​    ​ = tan 35°
vH 20 have to be allowed in the answer:
∴ vV = 20 tan 35° = 14.0 m s−1 1 (14.0 ± 0.2) m s−1.
or 14 m s−1

​ vLH  ​ = ________
5.0 × 104
(ii) Time spent in field = __ ​  20 ​    1 At constant speed (horizontally),
distance
= 2.5 × 10  s −5
time = _______
​   ​   
speed
vV _________ 14.0
Vertical acceleration = ​ __
t ​ = ​ 2.5 × 10 
−5 ​  1 change in velocity
acceleration = _______________
​      
 ​
= 5.6 × 105 m s−2 time
and the ink droplet has no vertical
velocity when it enters the field.
(iii) Force on droplet = m a 1 Since mass of the droplet is constant,
= 2.9 × 10−10 × 5.6 × 105 F = m a can be applied when finding the
= 1.62 × 10−4 N or 1.6 × 10−4 N 1 vertical force.
(iv) Electric field strength E 1 The vertical force (calculated above by
F __________
= ​ __
1.62 × 10−4 mechanics theory) is the electric force on
Q  ​= ​  2 × 10−10 ​ 
 
the ink droplet. The charge Q is given at
= 8.1 × 105 V m−1 (or N C−1) 1 the start of the question.
(v) P
 d between plates = E × d 1 The field is uniform between the parallel
= 8.1 × 105 × 1.0 × 10−3 plates; field strength of a uniform field
= 810 V
​ V ​.
1
E = __
d

AQA Physics A A2 Level © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2009 3

 Chapter 5
Answers to examination-style questions
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(b) T
 o arrive at the paper, the droplet travels a 1 The distance from the plates to the paper
further 1.0 mm at 20 m s−1 is taken from the diagram as 2 × 0.5 mm.
Time taken for this = 5.0 × 10−5 s 1 The droplets continue to move
Distance fallen under gravity = _​ 12  ​gt2 1 horizontally over this distance at
= ​ _12  ​× 9.81 × (5.0 × 10−5)2 = 1.2 × 10−8 m 20 m s−1. The final stage of the
∴ the distance fallen under gravity is 1 calculation uses s = ut + _​ 12  ​at2 from
insignificant AS Physics A Unit 2.

5 (a) (i) At the surface of the sphere 1 The equations quoted for E and V apply
Q Q in a radial field. A charged sphere
E = ​ ______    and V = _____
​     
4πe0R2 4πe0R produces the same shape of field as a
E ______ Q Q 1 ​ point charge: it is a field radiating
hence ​ __ ÷ _____
V ​= ​ 4πe0 R2  ​     = ​ __ 1
4πe0R R outwards from the centre of the sphere
V (if the charge is positive). Answers that
∴ E = __ ​ R ​
V
make use of E = __ ​   ​would not be
d
acceptable, because this equation applies
only to a uniform field. Note also that
you are required to answer in terms of
radius R, and not r.
3.3 × 103 V
(ii) 3.3 kV mm−1 = ​ ___________  
 ​  1 The question quotes the breakdown field
1.0 × 10−3 m
strength of dry air in kV mm−1. The first
= 3.3 × 106 V m−1 task is to change this to the fundamental
Using the previous result, 1 unit of V m−1 (it would be 33000 V cm−1).
V = ER The potential which a sphere can reach is
= 3.3 × 106 × 0.20 proportional to its radius. The larger the
= 6.6 × 105 V (660 kV) 1 dome of a Van de Graaf generator, the
better. Damp air has a much lower
breakdown field strength; this is what
usually limits the potential at which
school and college Van de Graaff
generators can operate.
__
(b) (i) P
 eak ​ 2 ​ × Vrms
__ potential V0 = √ 1 The relationship between ac peak and
= ​√ 2 ​ × 100 = 141 kV or 140 kV rms values was covered in AS Physics A
Unit 1.
(ii) Minimum radius of sphere is given by 1 The sphere is required to be on the point
V ________
141 × 103 of discharging into the air when the peak
R = ​ __
E ​= ​ 3.3 × 106 ​ 
= 4.29 × 10−2 m
potential is applied to it. Remember to
∴ minimum diameter of sphere 1 double the radius of the sphere, because
= 8.57 × 10−2 m or 86 mm the question asks for its diameter.

6 (a) (i) Lines drawn on Figure 1: 2 Ideally these lines should be spaced
• Six or more straight, radial field equally, because the field strength is of
lines which would pass through the constant value at a particular radius, e.g.
centre of the sphere . . . six lines drawn at 60° to each other.
• with arrows pointing away from
charge

AQA Physics A A2 Level © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2009 4

 Chapter 5
Answers to examination-style questions
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(ii) Lines drawn on Figure 2: 1

It would be best to use a compass. V ∝ ​ __
2 R  ​,
• Two circles outside the sphere
so the potential is halved when the radius
− centred on + . . .
is doubled, and so on.
• of radii 2R and 4R, where R is the
radius of the sphere
(iii) ε0 is the permittivity of free space 1 If your memory fails you the Data
Booklet reveals this name.

(b) (i) N
 ylon is used for the thread because it 1 The sphere must not lose charge during
is a good insulator the experiment.
(ii) Use of mg = k ∆L gives 1 This part revises the Hooke’s law
mg ______________
___ 1.5 × 10−3 × 9.81 equation (AS Physics A Unit 2), as
extension ∆L = ​     ​= ​  0.18 ​    
k applied to the weak spring used in the
= 8.18 × 10−2 m or 8.2 × 10−2 m 1 apparatus shown in Figure 3.
(iii) Electric field strength 1 The electric field will be uniform
8.0 × 103 between the parallel plates, so
​ V ​= ​ ________
E = __  
 ​
d 30 × 10−3 V
E = __
​   ​ can be applied.
= 2.67 × 105 V m−1 (or N C−1) or 1 d
2.7 × 105 V m−1
(iv) F = k ∆L = 0.18 × 4.5 × 10−3 1 The electric field is directed downwards
= 8.1 × 10−4 N (from the positive upper plate to the
F = E Q gives charge 1 negative lower one). This field produces
8.1 × 10−4
F ​= _________ an additional downwards force on the
Q = __
​ E ​   
 ​ 
2.67 × 105 positively charged sphere, causing a
= 3.04 × 10−9 C or 3.0 × 10−9 C 1 further extension of the spring.
___
m
(c) (i) Use of T = 2π ​ __
√
​   ​   ​  1 Part (c) is a test of whether you have
k _________
remembered much about simple
√ 1.5 × 10−3
gives period T = 2π ​ _________
​  0.18 ​ ​ 
 
  1 harmonic motion and damping, work
covered earlier, in Chapter 3 of
= 0.574 s or 0.57 s 1
A2 Physics A.
(ii) Graph drawn to show: 2 This is not intended to be a
• Axes labelled ‘amplitude’ displacement–time graph for damped
(vertically) and ‘time’ (horizontally) simple harmonic motion (which you
with the amplitude shown might be tempted to draw).
decreasing with time
• The correct shape (amplitude
decreasing exponentially)

7 (a) (i) A
 t B, field strength E = 21 N C−1  1 The electrical field around by a charged
(or V m−1) sphere is radial, identical to that around a
Line drawn on graph: 2 point charge of the same magnitude as
• Starts at (6.4, 84) and is a curve of the charge on the sphere. The field
decreasing gradient . . .
​ 12  ​  in a radial field; when r is
strength E ∝ __
• passes through (12.8, 21) and does r
not meet or intersect r axis doubled (from 6.4 to 12.8 × 103 km) E
decreases by a factor of 4.

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 Chapter 5
Answers to examination-style questions
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(ii) T
 he pd between A and B can be found 1 The area under a force–distance graph
from the graph by determining the area represents work done. E is equal to the
enclosed between the line and the r force acting per unit charge. Therefore
axis between r = 6.4 and 12.8 × 103 km the area under a graph of E against r
represents work done per unit charge,
which is potential difference.

(b) (i) F
 rom the graph, E = 84 N C−1 when 1 The equation giving the electric field
r = 6400 km, strength in a radial field can be applied at
Q the surface radius of a charge-carrying
E = ______
​    2 gives Q = 4πε0 R2 E
4πe0R sphere. The value of E at the surface of
= 4π × 8.85 × 10−12 × (6.4 × 106)2 × 84 the Earth is given by the marked point on
∴ charge on the Earth Q = 3.83 × 105C 1 the graph in the question.
(ii) Surface area of the Earth 1 The equation for the surface area of a
= 4π R2 = 4π × (6.4 × 106)2 sphere is listed in the Data Booklet. Since
= 5.15 × 1014 m2 the question asks for the charge per
Charge per unit area of surface 1 square metre, either C m−2 or C would be
Q 3.83 × 105 acceptable as the unit in the final answer.
= ​ _____
 2 ​ = _________
​   
 ​ 
4πR 5.15 × 1014
= 7.44 × 10−10 C m−2 or
7.4 × 10−10 C m−2

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AQA Physics A A2 Level © Nelson Thornes Ltd 2009 6