D2: Electromagnetism [83 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 1] SPM.1A.HL.TZ0.24

A solid metallic sphere is positively charged and isolated from all other
charges.

The electric potential due to the sphere

A. is constant inside the sphere.

B. is constant outside the sphere.

C. is smallest at the surface of the sphere.

D. increases with distance from the sphere. [1]

Markscheme

A
2. [Maximum mark: 1] SPM.1A.HL.TZ0.27
P is a point in a uniform electric field.

What is the direction in which the electric potential increases at P?

[1]

Markscheme

B
3. [Maximum mark: 1] SPM.1A.HL.TZ0.31
A charged rod is brought near an initially neutral metal sphere without
touching it.

When the sphere is grounded (earthed), there is an electric current for a

short time from the sphere to the ground.

The ground connection is then removed.

What are the charge on the rod and the charge induced on the sphere
when the connection is removed?

[1]

Markscheme

C
4. [Maximum mark: 1] SPM.1A.HL.TZ0.32
A positive point charge of magnitude 1.0 μC and a point charge q are
separated by a distance d.

An electron is placed at a distance d from the +1.0 μC charge. The electric

force on the electron is zero.

What is q?

A. −4.0 μC

B. −2.0 μC

C. 2.0 μC

D. 4.0 μC [1]

Markscheme

A
5. [Maximum mark: 20] SPM.2.HL.TZ0.9
The diagram shows two parallel conducting plates that are oppositely charged.

(a.i) Draw the electric field lines due to the charged plates. [2]

Markscheme

equally spaced arrows «by eye» all pointing down ✓

edge effects also shown with arrows ✓

(a.ii) The potential difference between the plates is 960 V and the
distance between them is 8.0 mm. Calculate the electric field
strength E between the plates. [2]

Markscheme

V 960
E =
d
= −3
✓
8.0×10

E = 1. 2 × 10
5
«NC−1» ✓
In an experiment, an oil drop is introduced into the space between the plates
through a small hole in the upper plate. The oil drop moves through air in a tube
before falling between the plates.

(b) Explain why the oil drop becomes charged as it falls through the
tube. [1]

Markscheme

friction transfers electron(s) to or from drop

AND

through collisions/ interaction with air molecules in the tube OR

through collisions/interaction with wall of tube ✓
(c) The oil drop is observed to be stationary in the space between the
plates. Buoyancy is one of the forces acting on the drop.

The density of oil is 730 times greater than that of air.

(c.i) Show that the buoyancy force is much smaller than the weight. [3]

Markscheme

weight of oil drop is ρogV ✓

Fb ρagV ρa

W
=
ρogV
=
ρo
✓

Fb
«W =» 1. 4 × 10
1 −3
=
730

OR

Ratio of Fb to W is much less than 1 ✓

(c.ii) Draw the forces acting on the oil drop, ignoring the buoyancy
force.
 [2]

Markscheme

Weight vertically down AND electric force vertically up ✓

Of equal length «by eye» ✓

(c.iii) Show that the electric charge on the oil drop is given by

ρogV
q =
E

where ρo is the density of oil and V is the volume of the oil drop. [2]

Markscheme

Mass of drop is ρoV ✓

qE = (ρoV )g ✓

«hence answer»

MP1 must be shown implicitly for credit.

(c.iv) State the sign of the charge on the oil drop. [1]

Markscheme

Negative ✓

(d) The electric field is turned off. The oil drop falls vertically reaching
a constant speed v.

(d.i) Outline why, for this drop, ρogV = 6πηrv where η is the
viscosity of air and r is the radius of the oil drop. [2]

Markscheme

Net force is zero ✓

Acceleration of the oil drop is zero ✓

OR

For terminal velocity drag must equal weight

weight = ρogV and drag = 6πηrv ✓

(d.ii) Show that the charge on the oil drop is about 4. 8 × 10−19 C.

The following data for the oil drop are available:

r = 1. 36 μm
−5
η = 1. 60 × 10 Pa s

v = 0. 140 mm s
−1
[3]

Markscheme

6πηrv
q =
E
✓

6π×1.60×10
−5 −6 −4
×1.36×10 ×1.40×10
q = 5
✓
1.2×10

−19
q = 4. 79 × 10 «C» ✓

Answer must be shown to 3+ sf.

 (d.iii) The oil drop splits into two parts of equal mass. Both are charged.
Deduce the net charge on each part. [2]

Markscheme

charge is quantized ✓

so, the charges must be 1e and 2e ✓

6. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ1.15

Two point charges of +4q and −q are placed a fixed distance apart.
Where is the electric field strength equal to zero?

[1]

Markscheme

D
7. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ1.27
An isolated point charge q is located at point X. Two other points Y and
Z are such that YZ = 2 XY.

What is ?
electric f ield at Y

electric f ield at Z

A. 1

B. 1

C. 3

D. 9 [1]

Markscheme

D
8. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ1.28
Two very long parallel plates, X and Y, have equal and opposite charges.
The potential on X is VX and that on Y is VY where VX>VY . A point particle
of positive charge q and mass m is held at rest midway between the
plates.

The particle is then released. Which plate will the particle move toward
and what kinetic energy does it have when it reaches the plate?

[1]

Markscheme

D
9. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ1.29
A hollow metallic sphere of radius R has a positive charge Q. P is a point
a distance from the centre of the sphere.
R

What are the electric potential and the electric field at point P?

[1]

Markscheme

D
10. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ2.15
Two point charges of +4q and −q are placed a fixed distance apart.
Where is the electric field strength equal to zero?

[1]

Markscheme

11. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ2.27

An isolated point charge q is located at point X. Two other points Y and
Z are such that YZ = 2 XY.

What is ?
electric f ield at Y

electric f ield at Z

A. 1

B. 1

C. 3

D. 9 [1]

Markscheme

D
12. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ2.28
Two very long parallel plates, X and Y, have equal and opposite charges.
The potential on X is VX and that on Y is VY where VX>VY . A point particle
of positive charge q and mass m is held at rest midway between the
plates.

The particle is then released. Which plate will the particle move toward
and what kinetic energy does it have when it reaches the plate?

[1]

Markscheme

D
13. [Maximum mark: 1] 23N.1A.HL.TZ2.29
A hollow metallic sphere of radius R has a positive charge Q. P is a point
a distance from the centre of the sphere.
R

What are the electric potential and the electric field at point P?

[1]

Markscheme

D
14. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.1A.HL.TZ1.31
A negatively charged particle is stationary halfway between two
horizontal charged plates. The plates are separated by a distance d with
potential difference V between them.

What is the magnitude of the electric field and direction of the electric
field at the position of the particle?

Magnitude of Direction of
electric field electric field
A. 2V

d
up
B. V

d
up
C. 2V
down
d
[1]
D. V
down
d

Markscheme

D
15. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.1A.HL.TZ2.30
Two spheres have the same positive charge. A point M is midway
between the two spheres.

Along the line joining the spheres, what is true about the electrical field
and the electric potential at M?

Electric field Electric potential

A. zero minimum positive value

B. maximum minimum positive value

C. zero maximum positive value

[1]
D. maximum maximum positive value

Markscheme

A
16. [Maximum mark: 11] 23M.2.HL.TZ1.6
(a) The centres of two identical fixed conducting spheres each of
charge +Q are separated by a distance D. C is the midpoint of the
line joining the centres of the spheres.

(a.i) Sketch, on the axes, how the electric potential V due to the two
charges varies with the distance r from the centre of the left
charge. No numbers are required. Your graph should extend from
r = 0 to r = D.

[3]

Markscheme

Constant, non-zero within spheres ✓

A clear, non-zero positive minimum at C ✓

Symmetric bowl shaped up curved shape in between ✓

 Do not allow a bowl shaped down curve for MP3.

(a.ii) Calculate the work done to bring a small charge q from infinity to
point C.

Data given:

Q = 2.0 × 10−3 C,

q = 4.0 × 10−9 C

D = 1.2 m [2]

Markscheme

9 −3

» = 6.0 × 107 «V» ✓

8.99×10 ×2.0×10
V «= 2 × 0.60

W = «qV = 6.0 × 107 × 4.0 × 10−9 =» 0.24 «J» ✓

Allow ECF from MP1

(b) The small positive charge q is placed a distance x to the right of C.

The distance x is very small compared to D.
(b.i) The magnitude of the net force on q is given by
32kQq
3
x. Explain
D

why the charge q will execute simple harmonic oscillations about

C. [2]

Markscheme

The restoring force/acceleration is opposite to the displacement/towards

equilibrium / OWTTE ✓

and proportional to displacement from equilibrium / OWTTE✓

Allow discussions based on the diagram (such as towards C for towards equilibrium).

Accept F ∝ x OR a ∝ x for MP2

(b.ii) The mass of the charge q is 0.025 kg.

Calculate the angular frequency of the oscillations using the data

in (a)(ii) and the expression in (b)(i). [2]

Markscheme

OR use of F =mω2r OR F = 1.33x OR a = 53.3x ✓

32kQq
ω=√ mD
3

9 −3 −9

«√ » = 7.299 «s−1»
32×8.99×10 ×2.0×10 ×4.0×10
3
0.025×1.2
(c) The charges Q are replaced by neutral masses M and the charge q
by a neutral mass m. The mass m is displaced away from C by a
small distance x and released. Discuss whether the motion of m
will be the same as that of q. [2]

Markscheme

the net force will no longer be a restoring force/directed towards equilibrium

OR

the gravitational force is attractive/neutral mass would be pulled towards

larger masses/OWTTE ✓

«and so» no, motion will not be the same/no longer be SHM / OWTTE ✓
17. [Maximum mark: 1] 22N.1A.HL.TZ0.31
An electric field is established between two electrodes separated by
distance d, held at a potential difference of V. A charged particle in this
field experiences a force F.

What is the charge on the particle?

A.
d

FV

B.
FV

C.
V

Fd

D.
Fd

V
[1]

Markscheme

D
18. [Maximum mark: 6] 22N.2.HL.TZ0.8
A satellite is launched from the surface of Earth into a circular orbit.

The following data are given.

Mass of the satellite = 8.0 × 102 kg

Height of the orbit above the surface of Earth = 5.0 × 105 m

Mass of Earth = 6.0 × 1024 kg

Radius of Earth = 6.4 × 106 m

(a) The diagram shows field lines for an electrostatic field. X and Y are
two points on the same field line.

Outline which of the two points has the larger electric potential. [2]

Markscheme

potential greater at Y ✓

ΔVe
«from E = − Δr » the potential increases in the direction opposite to field
strength «so from X to Y»
 OR

opposite to the direction of the field lines, «so from X to Y»

OR

«from W = q Δ Ve» work done to move a positive charge from X to Y is

positive «so the potential increases from X to Y» ✓

(b.i) Show that the kinetic energy of the satellite in orbit is about 2 ×
1010 J. [2]

Markscheme

orbital radius = 6. 4 × 10
6
+ 5. 0 × 10
5
«= 6. 9 × 10
6
m» ✓

−11 24

KE =
1

2
× 8. 0 × 10
2
×
6.67×10 ×6.0×10
6
OR 2. 3 × 1010 «J» ✓
6.9×10

Award [1] max for answers ignoring orbital height (KE = 2.5 × 1010 J).
(b.ii) Determine the minimum energy required to launch the satellite.
Ignore the original kinetic energy of the satellite due to Earth’s
rotation. [2]

Markscheme

change in PE
−11 24 2 1 1
= 6. 67 × 10 × 6. 0 × 10 × 8. 0 × 10 ( 6
− 6
) =
6.4×10 6.9×10

«3. 6 × 109 J» ✓

10
energy needed = KE + ΔPE = 2. 7 × 10 «J» ✓

Allow ECF from 8(b)(i).

19. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1A.HL.TZ2.32
Two positive and two negative charges are located at the corners of a
square as shown. Point X is the centre of the square. What is the value of
the electric field E and the electric potential V at X due to the four
charges?

[1]

Markscheme

A
20. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1A.HL.TZ2.33
The graph shows the variation with distance r of the electric potential V
from a charge Q.

What is the electric field strength at distance s?

A. The area under the graph between s and infinity

B. The area under the graph between 0 and s

C. The gradient of the tangent at s

D. The negative of the gradient of the tangent at s [1]

Markscheme

D
21. [Maximum mark: 1] 21N.1A.HL.TZ0.30
The diagram shows equipotential lines for an electric field. Which arrow
represents the acceleration of an electron at point P?

[1]

Markscheme

D
22. [Maximum mark: 1] 21N.1A.HL.TZ0.31
Two charged parallel plates have electric potentials of 10 V and 20 V.

A particle with charge +2.0 μC is moved from the 10 V plate to the 20 V

plate. What is the change in the electric potential energy of the particle?

A. −20 μJ

B. −10 μJ

C. 10 μJ

D. 20 μJ [1]

Markscheme

D
23. [Maximum mark: 5] 21N.2.HL.TZ0.7
A conducting sphere has radius 48 cm. The electric potential on the surface of the
sphere is 3.4 × 105 V.

The sphere is connected by a long conducting wire to a second conducting sphere

of radius 24 cm. The second sphere is initially uncharged.

(a) Show that the charge on the surface of the sphere is +18 μC. [1]

Markscheme

5
VR 3.4×10 ×0.48
Q = « k
= » 9
8.99×10

OR

Q = 18. 2 «μC» ✓

(b.i) Describe, in terms of electron flow, how the smaller sphere

becomes charged. [1]

Markscheme

electrons leave the small sphere «making it positively charged» ✓

(b.ii) Predict the charge on each sphere. [3]

Markscheme

q1 q2
k = k ⇒ q1 = 2q2 ✓
48 24

q1 + q2 = 18 ✓

so q1 = 12 «μC», q2 = 6. 0 «μC» ✓

Award [3] marks for a bald correct answer.

24. [Maximum mark: 1] 21M.1A.HL.TZ1.30
A particle with charge −2.5 × 10−6 C moves from point X to point Y due to
a uniform electrostatic field. The diagram shows some equipotential lines
of the field.

What is correct about the motion of the particle from X to Y and the
magnitude of the work done by the field on the particle?

[1]

Markscheme

D
25. [Maximum mark: 1] 21M.1A.HL.TZ2.31
The points X and Y are in a uniform electric field of strength E . The
distance OX is x and the distance OY is y.

What is the magnitude of the change in electric potential between X and

Y?

A. Ex

B. Ey

C. E(x + y)

D. E√x
2
+ y
2
[1]

Markscheme

A
26. [Maximum mark: 1] 20N.1A.HL.TZ0.32
The graph shows the variation of electric field strength E with distance
r from a point charge.

The shaded area X is the area under the graph between two separations
r1 and r2 from the charge.

What is X?

A. The electric field average between r1 and r2

B. The electric potential difference between r1 and r2

C. The work done in moving a charge from r1 to r2

D. The work done in moving a charge from r2 to r1 [1]

Markscheme

B
27. [Maximum mark: 8] 20N.2.HL.TZ0.8
The diagram shows the electric field lines of a positively charged conducting
sphere of radius R and charge Q.

Points A and B are located on the same field line.

A proton is placed at A and released from rest. The magnitude of the work done by
the electric field in moving the proton from A to B is 1. 7 × 10−16 J. Point A is at
−2
a distance of 5. 0 × 10 m from the centre of the sphere. Point B is at a
distance of 1. 0 × 10 −1
m from the centre of the sphere.

(a) Explain why the electric potential decreases from A to B. [2]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1
work done on moving a positive test charge in any outward direction is
negative ✓
potential difference is proportional to this work «so V decreases from A to B»
✓

ALTERNATIVE 2
potential gradient is directed opposite to the field so inwards ✓
 the gradient indicates the direction of increase of V «hence V increases
towards the centre/decreases from A to B» ✓

ALTERNATIVE 3
kQ
V =
R
so as r increases V decreases ✓
V is positive as Q is positive ✓

ALTERNATIVE 4
the work done per unit charge in bringing a positive charge from infinity ✓
to point B is less than point A ✓

(b) Draw, on the axes, the variation of electric potential V with

distance r from the centre of the sphere.

[2]

Markscheme

curve decreasing asymptotically for r > R✓

 non − zero constant between 0 and R ✓

(c(i)) Calculate the electric potential difference between points A and

B. [1]

Markscheme

−16
W 1.7×10
« q
= −19
= »1. 1 × 103 «V» ✓
1.60×10

(c(ii)) Determine the charge Q of the sphere. [2]

Markscheme

9 1 1 3
8. 99 × 10 × Q × ( −2
− −1
) = 1. 1 × 10 ✓
5.0×10 1.0×10

−8
Q = 1. 2 × 10 « C» ✓
(d) The concept of potential is also used in the context of
gravitational fields. Suggest why scientists developed a common
terminology to describe different types of fields. [1]

Markscheme

to highlight similarities between «different» fields ✓

28. [Maximum mark: 8] 20N.2.HL.TZ0.8
The diagram shows the electric field lines of a positively charged conducting
sphere of radius R and charge Q.

Points A and B are located on the same field line.

A proton is placed at A and released from rest. The magnitude of the work done by
the electric field in moving the proton from A to B is 1. 7 × 10−16 J. Point A is at
−2
a distance of 5. 0 × 10 m from the centre of the sphere. Point B is at a
distance of 1. 0 × 10 −1
m from the centre of the sphere.

(a) Explain why the electric potential decreases from A to B. [2]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1
work done on moving a positive test charge in any outward direction is
negative ✓
potential difference is proportional to this work «so V decreases from A to B»
✓

ALTERNATIVE 2
potential gradient is directed opposite to the field so inwards ✓
 the gradient indicates the direction of increase of V «hence V increases
towards the centre/decreases from A to B» ✓

ALTERNATIVE 3
kQ
V =
R
so as r increases V decreases ✓
V is positive as Q is positive ✓

ALTERNATIVE 4
the work done per unit charge in bringing a positive charge from infinity ✓
to point B is less than point A ✓

(b) Draw, on the axes, the variation of electric potential V with

distance r from the centre of the sphere.

[2]

Markscheme

curve decreasing asymptotically for r > R✓

 non − zero constant between 0 and R ✓

(c(i)) Calculate the electric potential difference between points A and

B. [1]

Markscheme

−16
W 1.7×10
« q
= −19
= »1. 1 × 103 «V» ✓
1.60×10

(c(ii)) Determine the charge Q of the sphere. [2]

Markscheme

9 1 1 3
8. 99 × 10 × Q × ( −2
− −1
) = 1. 1 × 10 ✓
5.0×10 1.0×10

−8
Q = 1. 2 × 10 « C» ✓
(d) The concept of potential is also used in the context of
gravitational fields. Suggest why scientists developed a common
terminology to describe different types of fields. [1]

Markscheme

to highlight similarities between «different» fields ✓

29. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1A.HL.TZ1.32
A negative charge Q is to be moved within an electric field E, to
equidistant points from its position, as shown.

Which path requires the most work done?

[1]

Markscheme

D
30. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1A.HL.TZ2.30
An electron is fixed in position in a uniform electric field. What is the
position for which the electrical potential energy of the electron is
greatest?

[1]

Markscheme

D
31. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1A.HL.TZ2.18
A particle with a charge ne is accelerated through a potential difference V.

What is the magnitude of the work done on the particle?

A. eV

B. neV

C. nV

D. eV

n
[1]

Markscheme

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