Electric fields — AS & A Level Physics (9702) questions by topic
Electric fields questions here carry a narrow but demanding 7 to 13 marks: defining electric potential and electric field, stating the relationship between field and potential, and resolving multiple forces in equilibrium calculations.
State, calculate and explain top the command words, with deduce and draw also frequent: explain why circular motion needs a centripetal force, distinct from the field itself. 14 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers make up this A Level Physics set. Submitting each attempt for instant marking flags a squared separation term dropped or wrongly halved, or a force direction stated the wrong way, immediately.
What examiners look for
- A small proportion of candidates omit squaring the separation, or apply 'inversely' loosely rather than stating an inverse-square relationship precisely.
- Examiners note some responses omit forces entirely, include quantities that are not forces at all, or give an incorrect direction for a correct force.
- A recurring criticism is incorrectly squaring or halving a separation distance in a field calculation.
- Reports flag a misconception that magnetic fields are the only type able to produce circular motion, with some candidates denying any centripetal force exists.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
May–June 2025, Paper 42
Two parallel metal plates X and Y are separated by a distance of 0.041 m. There is a vacuum between the plates. An electron is at rest at the centre of plate X. A potential…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 43
May–June 2025, Paper 44
Define electric potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 41
May–June 2024, Paper 42
May–June 2024, Paper 43
October–November 2024, Paper 41
State the relationship between electric field and electric potential.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
October–November 2024, Paper 43
State the relationship between electric field and electric potential.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 42
October–November 2023, Paper 41
October–November 2023, Paper 42
October–November 2023, Paper 43
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