Electric field questions Feb

2023 [27 marks]

1a. [2 marks]

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
Q
V = kR 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 ✓

Examiners report
The majority who answered in terms of potential gained one mark. Often the
answers were in terms of work done rather than work done per unit charge or
missed the fact that the potential is positive.
1b. [2 marks]

Markscheme
r>R✓
curve decreasing asymptotically for
non − zero constant between 0 and R ✓

Examiners report
This was well answered.

1c. [1 mark]

Markscheme
1.7×10−16
« Wq = = »1. 1 × 103 «V» ✓
1.60×10−19

Examiners report
Most didn't realise that the key to the answer is the definition of potential or
potential difference and tried to answer using one of the formulae in the data
booklet, but incorrectly.

1d. [2 marks]

Markscheme
8. 99 × 109 × Q ×( 1
− 1
)= 1. 1 × 103 ✓
5.0×10−2 1.0×10−1

Q = 1. 2 × 10−8 «C» ✓
 Examiners report
Even though many were able to choose the appropriate formula from the data
booklet they were often hampered in their use of the formula by incorrect
techniques when using fractions.

1e. [1 mark]

Markscheme
to highlight similarities between «different» fields ✓

Examiners report
This was generally well answered with only a small number of answers
suggesting greater international cooperation.

2a. [2 marks]

Markscheme
k×q
E= r2
✔
8.99×109×6.0×10−3
E= OR E = 3. 37 × 108 «N C−1 » ✔
0.42
NOTE: Ignore any negative sign.

Examiners report
[N/A]
2b. [2 marks]

Markscheme
F = q × E OR F = 1. 6 × 10−19 × 3. 4 × 108 = 5. 4 × 10−11 «N» ✔
−11
a = « 5.4×10−31 = » 5. 9 × 1019 « m s−2 »✔
9.1×10
NOTE: Ignore any negative sign.
Award [1] for a calculation leading to a = « m s−2 »
Award [2] for bald correct answer

Examiners report
[N/A]

2c. [3 marks]

Markscheme
the electron moves away from the point charge/to the right «along the line
joining them» ✔
decreasing acceleration ✔
increasing speed ✔
NOTE: Allow ECF from MP1 if a candidate mistakenly evaluates the force as
attractive so concludes that the acceleration will increase

Examiners report
[N/A]

3a. [2 marks]

Markscheme
change in momentum each second = 6.6 × 10−6 × 5.2 × 104 «= 3.4 ×
10−1 kg m s−1» ✔
3.4×10−1
acceleration = « 740
=» 4.6 × 10−4 «m s−2» ✔
 Examiners report
[N/A]

3b. [2 marks]

Markscheme
ALTERNATIVE 1:
(considering the acceleration of the spacecraft)
30
time for acceleration = = «4.6 × 106» «s» ✔
6.6×10−6
max speed = «answer to (a) × 4.6 × 106 =» 2.1 × 103 «m s−1» ✔

ALTERNATIVE 2:
(considering the conservation of momentum)
(momentum of 30 kg of fuel ions = change of momentum of spacecraft)
30 × 5.2 × 104 = 710 × max speed ✔
max speed = 2.2 × 103 «m s−1» ✔

Examiners report
[N/A]

3c. [1 mark]

Markscheme
problem may be too complicated for exact treatment ✔
to make equations/calculations simpler ✔
when precision of the calculations is not important ✔
some quantities in the problem may not be known exactly ✔

Examiners report
[N/A]
3d. [2 marks]

Markscheme
ions have same (sign of) charge ✔
ions repel each other ✔

Examiners report
[N/A]

3e. [2 marks]

Markscheme
the forces between the ions do not affect the force on the spacecraft. ✔
there is no effect on the acceleration of the spacecraft. ✔

Examiners report
[N/A]

3f. [2 marks]

Markscheme
force per unit mass ✔
acting on a small/test/point mass «placed at the point in the field» ✔

Examiners report
[N/A]

3g. [1 mark]

Markscheme
satellite has a much smaller mass/diameter/size than the planet «so
approximates to a point mass» ✔
 Examiners report
[N/A]

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