IB Physics HL D.2 Electric and Magnetic Fields Question Bank

Practise IB Physics HL D.2 by analysing superposed electric and magnetic fields, potentials, forces and charged-particle trajectories.

Exam points

Combine field, force and potential equations for multi-charge and extended-field problems.
Analyse charged-particle motion in crossed or varying fields using vector and energy reasoning.
Interpret field maps, flux-related evidence and experimental uncertainty in HL data.

Covered syllabus points

D.2.1—Electric charge forces D.2.2—Coulomb’s law D.2.3—Charge conservation D.2.4—Millikan experiment D.2.5—Charge transfer D.2.6—Electric field strength D.2.7—Electric field lines D.2.8—Field-line density D.2.9—Parallel-plate field D.2.10—Magnetic field lines D.2.11 (HL)—Electric potential energy D.2.12 (HL)—Two-charge potential energy D.2.13 (HL)—Electric potential as scalar D.2.14 (HL)—Electric potential D.2.15 (HL)—Electric potential gradient D.2.16 (HL)—Work in electric fields D.2.17 (HL)—Electric equipotentials D.2.18 (HL)—Equipotentials and electric fields

[Maximum number: 2]

Ion-thrust engines can power spacecraft. In this type of engine, ions are created in a chamber and expelled from the spacecraft. The spacecraft is in outer space when the propulsion system is turned on. The spacecraft starts from rest.

Figure for Question D.2 Electric and magnetic fields question 1 — IB Physics HL

The mass of ions ejected each second is $6.6 \times 10^{-6} \mathrm{~kg}$ and the speed of each ion is $5.2 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$ . The initial total mass of the spacecraft and its fuel is 740 kg . Assume that the ions travel away from the spacecraft parallel to its direction of motion.

In practice, the ions leave the spacecraft at a range of angles as shown.

Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.

[Maximum number: 10]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about photoelectricity. Part 2 is about electrical and magnetic force fields.
Part 1 Photoelectricity

(a)

Define electric field strength.

[ 2 ]

(b)

(b) The diagram shows a pair of horizontal metal plates. Electrons can be deflected vertically using an electric field between the plates.

[ 4 ]

(i)

Draw the shape and direction of the electric field between the plates on the diagram.

[ 2 ]

(ii)

Calculate the force on an electron between the plates when the electric field strength has a value of $2.5 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{NC}^{-1}$ .

[ 2 ]

$F=2.5 \times 10^{3} \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19}$ ;
$4.0 \times 10^{-16} \mathrm{~N}$ ;

Marking guidance:

Award [2] for a bald correct answer.

(c)

The diagram shows two isolated electrons, X and Y , initially at rest in a vacuum. The initial separation of the electrons is 5.0 mm . The electrons subsequently move apart in the directions shown.

[ 4 ]

(i)

Show that the initial electric force acting on each electron due to the other electron is approximately $9 \times 10^{-24} \mathrm{~N}$ .

[ 2 ]

(c) (i) use of $F=\frac{\left(1.60 \times 10^{-19}\right)^{2}}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0}\left(5.0 \times 10^{-3}\right)^{2}}$ or $F=\frac{\left(1.60 \times 10^{-19}\right)^{2}}{\left(5.0 \times 10^{-3}\right)^{2}} \times 8.99 \times 10^{9}$ ;
$9.2 \times 10^{-24} \mathrm{~N} ;$

(ii)

The diagram shows Y as seen from X , at one instant. Y is moving into the plane of the paper. For this instant, draw on the diagram the shape and direction of the magnetic field produced by Y .

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 1]

Deuterium, ${ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}$ , undergoes fusion according to the following reaction.

{ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}+{ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H} \rightarrow{ }_{1}^{3} \mathrm{H}+\mathrm{X}

Particle Y is produced in the collision of a proton with a $\mathrm{K}^{-}$ in the following reaction.

\mathrm{K}^{-}+\mathrm{p}^{+} \rightarrow \mathrm{K}^{0}+\mathrm{K}^{+}+\mathrm{Y}

The quark content of some of the particles involved are

\mathrm{K}^{-}=\overline{\mathrm{u}} \mathrm{~s} \quad \mathrm{~K}^{0}=\mathrm{d} \overline{\mathrm{~s}}

Identify, for particle Y , the

charge.

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Covered syllabus points

D.2 Electric and magnetic fields question 1

D.2 Electric and magnetic fields question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (c)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

D.2 Electric and magnetic fields question 3