Edexcel IGCSE Physics D Electric Charge Questions

Practise explaining electrostatic charging, attraction and repulsion, practical variables, and safety or use cases involving conductors and insulators.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Physics 4PH1

Exam points

  • explain charging by electron transfer when rods, balls or plastic materials are rubbed
  • interpret attraction or repulsion to decide whether charges are opposite or like
  • apply earthing to sparks, flour dust or charged metal channels in hazard contexts

Question 1

[Maximum number: 11]

A student uses this apparatus to investigate static electricity.

The positively charged ball is suspended vertically on a long length of string.

Figure for Question 1 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Question (a)

(a)

The ball is made of a material that is a good electrical conductor.

Name a material that is a good electrical conductor.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Explain, in terms of the movement of charged particles, how the ball has become positively charged.

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The student places a centimetre scale behind the length of string.

The string lines up with the 5.0 cm mark on the scale when the ball is in its resting position, as shown in diagram 2.

Figure for Question (c) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

The student brings a negatively charged polythene rod near to the right side of the ball.

The ball moves, as shown in diagram 3.

Figure for Question (c) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics
[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Explain how the movement of the ball shows that the charge on the polythene rod is negative.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

In diagram 3, the string lines up with the 7.2 cm mark on the scale.

The student moves the polythene rod slightly further away from the ball.
Predict a possible reading on the scale.

reading = ............ cm

[ 1 ]

Question (d)

(d)

The student extends the investigation by measuring the reading on the scale for rods made from different materials.

As a control variable, the student charges each rod by rubbing it with a cloth the same number of times.

Give two other control variables for the student's investigation.

1 ............
2 ............

[ 2 ]

Question (e)

(e)

The bar chart shows the results of the student's investigation.

Figure for Question (e) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics
[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Deduce what can be concluded about the charge on each of the rods used in the investigation.

Use information from the bar chart to help your answer.

[ 3 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 8]

A student uses this apparatus to demonstrate the effect of electric charge.

Figure for Question 2 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

He pours some fine powder into a funnel.
The fine powder moves through a length of plastic tubing and falls into a metal can.
The metal can rests on a metal cap.
The metal cap is connected to a thin piece of metal via a metal rod.
When the powder lands in the can, the thin piece of metal moves away from the metal rod.

Question (a)

(a)

Explain why the thin piece of metal moves away from the metal rod.

[ 4 ]

Question (b)

(b)

A coulombmeter measures electric charge.

The student connects a coulombmeter to the metal can.
When all the powder has landed in the can, the coulombmeter shows a reading of −9.4×10−9C-9.4 \times 10^{-9} \mathrm{C}.

[ 1 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Which statement is true for the metal can?

A

it gains negatively charged electrons

B

it loses negatively charged electrons

C

it gains positively charged electrons

D

it loses positively charged electrons

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The student suggests that this demonstration is similar to refuelling an aircraft.

The powder represents the fuel and the metal can represents the fuel tank in the aircraft.

Figure for Question (c) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Explain how the student should modify this apparatus to demonstrate how to minimise the dangers when refuelling an aircraft.

You may add to the diagram to help your answer.

[ 3 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 5]

The photograph shows a person using a roll of plastic wrapping to cover a plate of food.

The plastic wrapping sticks to the plate due to electrostatic charges.

The passage explains why the plastic wrapping sticks to the plate.

Use words from the box to complete the passage.
Each word may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

attractelectronsnegativeneutral
neutronspositiveprotonsrepel

The person pulls a layer of plastic wrapping from the roll.
Forces between the layers of wrapping transfer particles called ...... from one layer to another layer.

The layer gaining these particles acquires a ...... charge.

The layer losing these particles acquires a ...... charge.

The negatively charged layer of wrapping repels ...... in the plate, leaving a positive charge in the plate where it touches the plastic wrapping.

The wrapping and plate ...... due to them having opposite charges.

A

A

B

B

Question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

A student uses this apparatus to investigate static electricity.

The positively charged ball is suspended vertically on a long length of string.

Figure for Question 4 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

The ball is made of a material that is a good electrical conductor.

Name a material that is a good electrical conductor.

Question 5

[Maximum number: 2]

A student uses this apparatus to investigate static electricity.

The positively charged ball is suspended vertically on a long length of string.

Figure for Question 5 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

The student extends the investigation by measuring the reading on the scale for rods made from different materials.

As a control variable, the student charges each rod by rubbing it with a cloth the same number of times.

Give two other control variables for the student's investigation.

1 ............
2 ............

Question 6

[Maximum number: 1]

A student uses this apparatus to demonstrate the effect of electric charge.

Figure for Question 6 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

He pours some fine powder into a funnel.
The fine powder moves through a length of plastic tubing and falls into a metal can.
The metal can rests on a metal cap.
The metal cap is connected to a thin piece of metal via a metal rod.
When the powder lands in the can, the thin piece of metal moves away from the metal rod.

A coulombmeter measures electric charge.

The student connects a coulombmeter to the metal can.
When all the powder has landed in the can, the coulombmeter shows a reading of −9.4×10−9C-9.4 \times 10^{-9} \mathrm{C}.

Which statement is true for the metal can?

A

it gains negatively charged electrons

B

it loses negatively charged electrons

C

it gains positively charged electrons

D

it loses positively charged electrons

Question 7

[Maximum number: 4]

A student uses this apparatus to demonstrate the effect of electric charge.

Figure for Question 7 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

He pours some fine powder into a funnel.
The fine powder moves through a length of plastic tubing and falls into a metal can.
The metal can rests on a metal cap.
The metal cap is connected to a thin piece of metal via a metal rod.
When the powder lands in the can, the thin piece of metal moves away from the metal rod.

Explain why the thin piece of metal moves away from the metal rod.

Question 8

[Maximum number: 3]

A student uses this apparatus to demonstrate the effect of electric charge.

Figure for Question 8 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

He pours some fine powder into a funnel.
The fine powder moves through a length of plastic tubing and falls into a metal can.
The metal can rests on a metal cap.
The metal cap is connected to a thin piece of metal via a metal rod.
When the powder lands in the can, the thin piece of metal moves away from the metal rod.

The student suggests that this demonstration is similar to refuelling an aircraft.

The powder represents the fuel and the metal can represents the fuel tank in the aircraft.

Figure for Question 8 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Explain how the student should modify this apparatus to demonstrate how to minimise the dangers when refuelling an aircraft.

You may add to the diagram to help your answer.

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