CAIE IGCSE Physics 4.2.1 Electric Charge Topic Practice

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Covered syllabus points

4.2.1.1—There are positive and negative4.2.1.2—Positive charges repel other positive4.2.1.3—Simple experiments to show the4.2.1.4—Charging of solids by friction4.2.1.5—An experiment to distinguish between4.2.1.6—A simple electron model to explain the4.2.1.7—Charge is measured in coulombs4.2.1.8—An electric field as a region in which4.2.1.9—Direction of an electric field at a4.2.1.10—Simple electric field patterns

Question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

A lightning conductor protects a tall building and the people in it against damage and injury caused by lightning strikes.

The lightning conductor is a very long strip of copper that is attached to the side of the building. At the top of the building, the strip of copper is connected to a vertical metal pole and at the bottom of the building, it is buried in the ground.

Fig. 7.1

Fig. 7.1

The bottom of the thundercloud is negatively charged.
As the cloud moves closer to the building, the top of the metal pole becomes charged.

State the sign of the charge at the top of the metal pole. Explain, in terms of the particles involved, how it becomes charged.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 2]

Fig. 9.1 shows a conducting ball that oscillates between two charged plates.

Fig. 9.1

Fig. 9.1

As the ball oscillates, it touches each plate in turn.

Referring to the charge on the ball, explain why the ball moves to the positive plate after touching the negative plate.

Question 3

[Maximum number: 3]

A conducting sphere is mounted on an insulating stand. Explain how you would use a positively charged rod of insulating material to charge the sphere by induction.

Question 4

[Maximum number: 2]

A piece of plastic is charged positively by friction.

State what charge transfers occur during this process.

Question 5

[Maximum number: 2]

Explain how the structure of an electrical conductor differs from the structure of an electrical insulator.

Question 6

[Maximum number: 1]

A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth and becomes positively charged. After charging, the rod is held close to the suspended table-tennis ball shown in Fig. 9.1. The table-tennis ball is covered with metal paint and is uncharged.

Fig. 9.1

Fig. 9.1

State the unit in which electric charge is measured.

Question 7

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 7.1 shows two charged metal plates. X marks the position of the centre of the space between the plates.

Fig. 7.1

Fig. 7.1

Describe the effect on a negatively charged particle placed at X .

Question 8

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 7.2 shows a small negative charge Z placed near to sphere S .

Fig. 7.2

Fig. 7.2

Charge Z experiences a force due to the electric field surrounding S.
On Fig. 7.2, draw an arrow to show the direction of this force on Z.

Question 9

[Maximum number: 2]

Fig. 7.1 shows two charged metal plates. X marks the position of the centre of the space between the plates.

Fig. 7.1

Fig. 7.1

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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