IB Physics HL D.3.6 Force between parallel wires Question Bank
Practise IB Physics SL/HL D.3.6 by applying force between parallel wires concepts to exam-style physics questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Physics HL
- Level
- HL
Practise IB Physics SL/HL D.3.6 by applying force between parallel wires concepts to exam-style physics questions.
A cable consisting of many copper wires is used to transfer electrical energy from an alternating current (ac) generator to an electrical load. The copper wires are protected by an insulator.

The two cables in part (c) are suspended a constant distance apart. Explain how the magnetic forces acting between the cables vary during the course of one cycle of the alternating current (ac). be marked.
wires/cable attract whenever current is in same direction
charge flow/current direction in both wires is always same «but reverses every half cycle»
force varies from 0 to maximum
force is a maximum twice in each cycle
Marking guidance:
Award [1 max] if response suggests that there is repulsion between cables at any stage in cycle.
2 max