Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Electric potential

Electric potential — practice question

(a)[2]

Define electric potential at a point in a field.

(b(i))[1]

State how the magnitude of the electric field strength at any point P can be found from the graph of Fig. 5.2.

(b(ii))[3]

Without doing any calculations, describe the force on a positively charged particle at point P for $x$ ranging from $x = 0$ to $x = 10\,\text{cm}$.

(c(i))[1]

On Fig. 5.2, place the letter M at the point where the charged particle has its maximum speed.

(c(ii).1)[1]

Use Fig. 5.2 to find the potential difference between the spheres.

(c(ii).2)[3]

Use your result from (ii) part 1 to work out the speed of the particle as it reaches the surface of sphere B. Show your working.

(c)

In (b)(ii), the positively charged particle has charge $q$ and mass $m$, with $\frac{q}{m} = 4.8 \times 10^{7}\,\text{C kg}^{-1}$. Initially, it is at rest on the surface of sphere A at $x = 0$. It then moves freely along the line joining the centres of the spheres until it reaches the surface of sphere B.

(c(ii)1)[1]

Use Fig. 5.2 to find the potential difference between the spheres.

(c(ii)2)[3]

Use your answer in (ii) part 1 to calculate the speed of the particle as it reaches the surface of sphere B. Explain your working.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 15-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Work done in moving a unit positive charge from infinity to the point.

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