2

Data

speed of light in free space c = 3.00 × 108 m s−1

permeability of free space μ0 = 4π × 10−7 H m−1

permittivity of free space ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F m−1

1
( = 8.99 × 109 m F−1)
4πε0
elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10−19 C

the Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10−34 J s

unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 × 10−27 kg

rest mass of electron me = 9.11 × 10−31 kg

rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 × 10−27 kg

molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1

the Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol−1

the Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 × 10−23 J K−1

gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2

acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s−2

© UCLES 2017 9702/42/F/M/17

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Formulae

1
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2 at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as

work done on/by a gas W = p ΔV

Gm
gravitational potential φ =−
r

hydrostatic pressure p = ρgh

1 Nm 2
pressure of an ideal gas p = 3 〈c 〉
V
simple harmonic motion a = − ω 2x

velocity of particle in s.h.m. v = v0 cos ωt

v = ± ω (x 02 - x 2)
fsv
Doppler effect fo =
v ± vs

Q
electric potential V =
4πε0r

capacitors in series 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + . . .

capacitors in parallel C = C1 + C2 + . . .

1
energy of charged capacitor W = 2 QV

electric current I = Anvq

resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + . . .

resistors in parallel 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + . . .

BI
Hall voltage VH =
ntq

alternating current/voltage x = x0 sin ω t

radioactive decay x = x0 exp(−λt )

0.693
decay constant λ =
t 1
2

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6 (a) State one similarity and one difference between the electric field lines and the gravitational
field lines around an isolated positively charged metal sphere.

similarity ....................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

difference ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) A positive point charge +Q is positioned at a fixed point X and an identical positive point
charge is positioned at a fixed point Y, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

X A B Y
+Q +Q
2.5 cm 2.5 cm
10.0 cm

Fig. 6.1

The charges are separated in a vacuum by a distance of 10.0 cm.

Points A and B are on the line XY. Point A is a distance of 2.5 cm from X and point B is a
distance of 2.5 cm from Y. The electric field strength at point A is 4.1 × 10–5 V m–1.

(i) Calculate charge +Q.

+Q = ........................................................C [3]

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(ii) On Fig. 6.2, sketch the variation of the electric field strength E with distance d from A
to B, along the line AB.

5
E / 10–5 V m–1
4

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
d / cm
–1

–2

–3

–4

–5

Fig. 6.2
[2]

(iii) A small positive charge is placed at A. The electric field causes this charge to move from
rest along the line AB.

Describe the acceleration of the charge as it moves from A to B.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 9]

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4 (a) Explain what is meant by the potential energy of a body. For

Examiner’s
.......................................................................................................................................... Use

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]
2
(b) Two deuterium ( 1 H) nuclei each have initial kinetic energy EK and are initially separated
by a large distance.
The nuclei may be considered to be spheres of diameter 3.8 × 10–15 m with their masses
and charges concentrated at their centres.
The nuclei move from their initial positions to their final position of just touching, as
illustrated in Fig. 4.1.

2 2
initially 1H 1H

kinetic energy EK kinetic energy EK

3.8 × 10–15 m

2 2
finally 1H 1H

at rest

Fig. 4.1

(i) For the two nuclei approaching each other, calculate the total change in

1. gravitational potential energy,

energy = ............................................ J [3]

2. electric potential energy.

energy = ............................................ J [3]

© UCLES 2010 9702/41/M/J/10
 9

(ii) Use your answers in (i) to show that the initial kinetic energy EK of each nucleus For
is 0.19 MeV. Examiner’s
Use

[2]

(iii) The two nuclei may rebound from each other. Suggest one other effect that could
happen to the two nuclei if the initial kinetic energy of each nucleus is greater than
that calculated in (ii).

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2010 9702/41/M/J/10 [Turn over

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4 A charged point mass is situated in a vacuum. A proton travels directly towards the mass, as For
illustrated in Fig. 4.1. Examiner’s
Use
charged
proton
point mass

Fig. 4.1

When the separation of the mass and the proton is r, the electric potential energy of the
system is UP .

The variation with r of the potential energy UP is shown in Fig. 4.2.

r / cm
0 2 4 6 8 10
0

–10

UP / 10–26 J

–20

–30

negative more attractive

amore -

–40

–50

Fig. 4.2

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(a) (i) Use Fig. 4.2 to state and explain whether the mass is charged positively or For
negatively. Examiner’s
Use

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) The gradient at a point on the graph of Fig. 4.2 is G.

Show that the electric field strength E at this point due to the charged point mass is
given by the expression

Eq = G

where q is the charge at this point.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Use the expression in (a)(ii) and Fig. 4.2 to determine the electric field strength at a
distance of 4.0 cm from the charged point mass.

field strength = ........................................ V m–1 [4]

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6 A solid metal sphere of radius R is isolated in space. The sphere is positively charged so that the
electric potential at its surface is VS. The electric field strength at the surface is ES.

(a) On the axes of Fig. 6.1, show the variation of the electric potential with distance x from the
centre of the sphere for values of x from x = 0 to x = 3R.

1.0 Vs

0.8 Vs
potential
0.6 Vs

0.4 Vs

0.2 Vs

0
0 R 2R 3R
distance x

Fig. 6.1
[3]

(b) On the axes of Fig. 6.2, show the variation of the electric field strength with distance x from
the centre of the sphere for values of x from x = 0 to x = 3R.

1.0 Es

0.8 Es
field
strength 0.6 Es

0.4 Es

0.2 Es

0
0 R 2R 3R
distance x

Fig. 6.2
[3]

[Total: 6]

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4 Two small charged metal spheres A and B are situated in a vacuum. The distance between For
the centres of the spheres is 12.0 cm, as shown in Fig. 4.1. Examiner’s
Use
12.0 cm

sphere A P sphere B

Fig. 4.1 (not to scale)

The charge on each sphere may be assumed to be a point charge at the centre of the
sphere.
Point P is a movable point that lies on the line joining the centres of the spheres and is
distance x from the centre of sphere A.
The variation with distance x of the electric field strength E at point P is shown in Fig. 4.2.

150

E / 106 N C–1

100

50

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
x / cm

–50

–100

–150

–200

Fig. 4.2

© UCLES 2011 9702/41/O/N/11

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(a) State the evidence provided by Fig. 4.2 for the statements that For
Examiner’s
(i) the spheres are conductors, Use

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) the charges on the spheres are either both positive or both negative.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) (i) State the relation between electric field strength E and potential gradient at a point.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) Use Fig. 4.2 to state and explain the distance x at which the rate of change of
potential with distance is

1. maximum,

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

2. minimum.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

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5 (a) Define electric potential at a point.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) An isolated solid metal sphere is positively charged.

The variation of the potential V with distance x from the centre of the sphere is shown in
Fig. 5.1.

200

160

V/V

120

80

40

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
x / cm

Fig. 5.1

Use Fig. 5.1 to suggest

(i) why the radius of the sphere cannot be greater than 1.0 cm,

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2014 9702/41/O/N/14

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(ii) that the charge on the sphere behaves as if it were a point charge.

[3]

(c) Assuming that the charge on the sphere does behave as a point charge, use data from
Fig. 5.1 to determine the charge on the sphere.

charge = ..................................................... C [2]

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5 A positively charged solid metal sphere is isolated in space. The electric field strength E is
measured for different distances x from the centre of the sphere. The variation with x of the field
strength E is shown in Fig. 5.1.

100

80
E / N C–1

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
x / cm

Fig. 5.1

(a) Suggest why, for values of x less than 4.0 cm, the electric field strength is zero.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A point charge of +8.5 × 10−9 C moves from a point where x = 7.0 cm to a point where
x = 5.0 cm.
Use Fig. 5.1 to estimate the change in electric potential energy of this point charge.

energy = ...................................................... J [3]

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6 Two solid metal spheres A and B, each of radius 1.5 cm, are situated in a vacuum. Their centres
are separated by a distance of 20.0 cm, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

1.5 cm 1.5 cm
20.0 cm

sphere A sphere B

Fig. 6.1 (not to scale)

Both spheres are positively charged.

Point P lies on the line joining the centres of the two spheres, at a distance x from the centre of
sphere A.

The variation with distance x of the electric field strength E at point P is shown in Fig. 6.2.

50

40

30

E / N C–1
20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
–10 x / cm

–20

–30

–40

–50

Fig. 6.2

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 12

(a) Use Fig. 6.2 to determine the ratio

magnitude of charge on sphere A
.
magnitude of charge on sphere B
Explain your working.

ratio = ...........................................................[3]

(b) The variation with distance x of the electric potential V at point P is shown in Fig. 6.3.

0.8

0.7

0.6
V/V
0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
x / cm

Fig. 6.3

© UCLES 2016 9702/42/O/N/16

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An α-particle is initially at rest on the surface of sphere A.

The α-particle moves along the line joining the centres of the two spheres.

Determine, for the α-particle as it moves between the two spheres,

(i) its maximum speed,

maximum speed = ................................................. m s–1 [3]

(ii) its speed on reaching the surface of sphere B.

speed = ................................................. m s–1 [2]

[Total: 8]

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6 (a) State an expression for the electric field strength E at a distance r from a point charge Q in a
vacuum.
State the name of any other symbol used.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Two point charges A and B are situated a distance 10.0 cm apart in a vacuum, as illustrated in
Fig. 6.1.

charge A charge B

10.0 cm

Fig. 6.1

A point P lies on the line joining the charges A and B. Point P is a distance x from A.

The variation with distance x of the electric field strength E at point P is shown in Fig. 6.2.

2.5

E / 10–2 N C–1

2.0

1.5

1.0
0 2 4 6 8 10
x / cm

Fig. 6.2

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State and explain whether the charges A and B:

(i) have the same, or opposite, signs

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) have the same, or different, magnitudes.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) An electron is situated at point P.

Without calculation, state and explain the variation in the magnitude of the acceleration of the
electron as it moves from the position where x = 3 cm to the position where x = 7 cm.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

[Total: 10]

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(c) Another audio signal with the same maximum frequency is transmitted using a different
carrier wave frequency. The lowest frequency of this modulated wave is equal to the highest
frequency of the modulated wave in (b).

Determine the frequency of this carrier wave.

frequency = .................................................. kHz [1]

[Total: 7]

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6 (a) State a similarity between the gravitational field lines around a point mass and the electric
field lines around a point charge.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The variation with radius r of the electric field strength E due to an isolated charged sphere in
a vacuum is shown in Fig. 6.1.

1.3

1.2

1.1
E / 105 V m–1
1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
r / cm

Fig. 6.1

Use data from Fig. 6.1 to:

(i) state the radius of the sphere

radius = ................................................... cm [1]

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(ii) calculate the charge on the sphere.

charge = ..................................................... C [2]

(c) Using the formula for the electric potential due to an isolated point charge, determine the
capacitance of the sphere in (b).

capacitance = ...................................................... F [3]

[Total: 7]

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4 (a) Define electric potential at a point. For

Examiner’s
.......................................................................................................................................... Use

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Two small spherical charged particles P and Q may be assumed to be point charges
located at their centres. The particles are in a vacuum.

Particle P is fixed in position. Particle Q is moved along the line joining the two charges,
as illustrated in Fig. 4.1.

particle P particle Q

x
Fig. 4.1

The variation with separation x of the electric potential energy EP of particle Q is shown
in Fig. 4.2.

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
x / 10–10 m

–1

–2

E P / eV

–3

–4

Fig. 4.2

(i) State how the magnitude of the electric field strength is related to potential
gradient.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

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(ii) Use your answer in (i) to show that the force on particle Q is proportional to the For
gradient of the curve of Fig. 4.2. Examiner’s
Use

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(c) The magnitude of the charge on each of the particles P and Q is 1.6 × 10–19 C.
Calculate the separation of the particles at the point where particle Q has electric
potential energy equal to –5.1 eV.

separation = ............................................ m [4]

(d) By reference to Fig. 4.2, state and explain

(i) whether the two charges have the same, or opposite, sign,

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) the effect, if any, on the shape of the graph of doubling the charge on particle P.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

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4 (a) Define electric potential at a point. For

Examiner’s
.......................................................................................................................................... Use

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) A charged particle is accelerated from rest in a vacuum through a potential difference V.
Show that the final speed v of the particle is given by the expression

⎛2Vq ⎞
v= ⎜ ⎟
⎝ m ⎠
q
where is the ratio of the charge to the mass (the specific charge) of the particle.
m

[2]
(c) A particle with specific charge +9.58 × 107 C kg–1 is moving in a vacuum towards a fixed
metal sphere, as illustrated in Fig. 4.1.

metal sphere
2.5 × 105 m s–1 potential +470 V

particle
specific charge
+9.58 × 107 C kg–1

Fig. 4.1

The initial speed of the particle is 2.5 × 105 m s–1 when it is a long distance from the
sphere.
The sphere is positively charged and has a potential of +470 V.

Use the expression in (b) to determine whether the particle will reach the surface of the
sphere.

[3]
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5 (a) State what is meant by electric field strength.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Two point charges A and B are situated a distance 15 cm apart in a vacuum, as illustrated in
Fig. 5.1.

A P B

15 cm

Fig. 5.1

Point P lies on the line joining the charges and is a distance x from charge A.

The variation with distance x of the electric field strength E at point P is shown in Fig. 5.2.

10

8
E / 103 N C –1
6

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
x / cm
–2

–4

–6

Fig. 5.2

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(i) By reference to the direction of the electric field, state and explain whether the charges
A and B have the same, or opposite, signs.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) State why, although charge A is a point charge, the electric field strength between
x = 3 cm and x = 7 cm does not obey an inverse-square law.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Use Fig. 5.2 to determine the ratio

magnitude of charge A
.
magnitude of charge B

ratio = ......................................................... [3]

[Total: 8]

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5 (a) State one similarity and one difference between the fields of force produced by an isolated
point charge and by an isolated point mass.

similarity: ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

difference: .................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) An isolated solid metal sphere A of radius R has charge +Q, as illustrated in Fig. 5.1.

R
P

2R
sphere A
charge +Q

Fig. 5.1

A point P is distance 2R from the surface of the sphere.

Determine an expression that includes the terms R and Q for the electric field strength E at
point P.

E = ......................................................... [2]

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(c) A second identical solid metal sphere B is now placed near sphere A. The centres of the
spheres are separated by a distance 6R, as shown in Fig. 5.2.

R R
P

sphere A sphere B
charge +Q 6R charge –Q

Fig. 5.2

Point P lies midway between spheres A and B.

Sphere B has charge –Q.

Explain why:

(i) the magnitude of the electric field strength at P is given by the sum of the magnitudes of
the field strengths due to each sphere

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) the electric field strength at point P due to the charged metal spheres is not, in practice,
equal to 2E, where E is the electric field strength determined in (b).

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 7]

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3 (a) State what is meant by a line of force in For

Examiner’s
(i) a gravitational field, Use

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) an electric field.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A charged metal sphere is isolated in space.

State one similarity and one difference between the gravitational force field and the
electric force field around the sphere.

similarity: ..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

difference: ........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
[3]

(c) Two horizontal metal plates are separated by a distance of 1.8 cm in a vacuum.
A potential difference of 270 V is maintained between the plates, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
0V

proton

1.8 cm

+270 V
Fig. 3.1
A proton is in the space between the plates.
Explain quantitatively why, when predicting the motion of the proton between the plates,
the gravitational field is not taken into consideration.

[4]
© UCLES 2012 9702/43/O/N/12
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5 A charged particle P is situated in a vacuum at a distance x from the centre of a charged conducting
sphere of radius r, as illustrated in Fig. 5.1.

r P

Fig. 5.1

For the particle P outside the conducting sphere, the charge on the sphere may be assumed to be
a point charge at its centre.

(a) (i) State Coulomb’s law.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) The sphere and the particle P are both charged positively.

1. State the direction of the force acting on particle P.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

2. State the position of particle P for the force to be maximum.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

3. Determine the ratio

force on particle P at x = r .
force on particle P at x = 4r

ratio = .......................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2015 9702/41/O/N/15

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(b) When the charge on the sphere is 6.0 × 10–7 C, the electric field strength at the surface of the
sphere is 1.5 × 106 V m–1.

Electrical breakdown (a spark) occurs when the electric field strength at the surface of the
sphere exceeds 2.0 × 106 V m–1.

Determine the additional charge that may be added to the sphere before breakdown occurs.

charge = ...................................................... C [3]

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 12

5 Two small solid metal spheres A and B have equal radii and are in a vacuum. Their centres are
15 cm apart.
Sphere A has charge +3.0 pC and sphere B has charge +12 pC. The arrangement is illustrated in
Fig. 5.1.

sphere A P sphere B
charge + 3.0 pC charge + 12 pC

5.0 cm

15 cm

Fig. 5.1

Point P lies on the line joining the centres of the spheres and is a distance of 5.0 cm from the
centre of sphere A.

(a) Suggest why the electric field strength in both spheres is zero.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Show that the electric field strength is zero at point P. Explain your working.

[3]

(c) Calculate the electric potential at point P.

x
scalat

quantity so

only need to
substitute
polarity

electric potential = ..................................................... V [2]

© UCLES 2016 9702/41/O/N/16
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(d) A silver-107 nucleus ( 107

47 Ag) has speed v when it is a long distance from point P.

Use your answer in (c) to calculate the minimum value of speed v such that the nucleus can
reach point P.

speed = ............................................... m s−1 [3]

[Total: 10]

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 14

6 (a) (i) Define electric potential at a point.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) State the relationship between electric potential and electric field strength at a point.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) Two parallel metal plates A and B are situated a distance 1.2 cm apart in a vacuum, as shown
in Fig. 6.1.

–75 V
plate B

helium nucleus

1.2 cm

0V
plate A

Fig. 6.1

Plate A is earthed and plate B is at a potential of –75 V.

A helium nucleus is situated between the plates, a distance x from plate A.

Initially, the helium nucleus is at rest on plate A where x = 0.

(i) The helium nucleus is free to move between the plates. By considering energy changes
of the helium nucleus, explain why the speed at which it reaches plate B is independent
of the separation of the plates.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

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9 (a) Define what is meant by electric potential at a point.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) In an α-particle scattering experiment, α-particles are directed towards a thin film of gold, as
illustrated in Fig. 9.1.
gold film

beam of
α-particles

Fig. 9.1

The apparatus is in a vacuum.

The gold-197 ( 197

79 Au) nuclei in the film may be considered to be fixed point charges.

The α-particles emitted from the source each have an energy of 4.8 MeV.

Calculate:

(i) the initial kinetic energy EK, in J, of an α-particle emitted from the source

EK = ...................................................... J [1]

© UCLES 2019 9702/42/O/N/19

 21

(ii) the distance d of closest approach of an α-particle to a gold nucleus.

d = ..................................................... m [4]

(c) Use your answer in (b)(ii) to comment on the possible diameter of a gold nucleus.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 8]

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5 (a) Define electric potential at a point.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) Two positively charged metal spheres A and B are situated in a vacuum, as shown in Fig. 5.1.

sphere A sphere B

Fig. 5.1

A point P lies on the line joining the centres of the two spheres and is a distance x from the
surface of sphere A.

The variation with x of the electric potential V due to the two charged spheres is shown in
Fig. 5.2.

600

500

V/V

400

300

200

100
0 2 4 6 8 10
x / cm
surface surface
of A of B
Fig. 5.2
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(i) State how the magnitude of the electric field strength at any point P may be determined
from the graph of Fig. 5.2.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Without any calculation, describe the force acting on a positively charged particle placed
at point P for values of x from x = 0 to x = 10 cm.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[3]

(c) The positively charged particle in (b)(ii) has charge q and mass m given by the expression
q 7 –1
m = 4.8 × 10 C kg .
Initially, the particle is at rest on the surface of sphere A where x = 0. It then moves freely
along the line joining the centres of the spheres until it reaches the surface of sphere B.

(i) On Fig. 5.2, mark with the letter M the point where the charged particle has its maximum
speed. [1]

(ii) 1. Use Fig. 5.2 to determine the potential difference between the spheres.

potential difference = ....................................................... V [1]

2. 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.

speed = ................................................. m s–1 [3]

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3 (a) State the property of an object that experiences a force when the object is placed in:

(i) a gravitational field

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) an electric field.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) A potential difference of 1.2 × 103 V is applied between a pair of horizontal metal plates in a
vacuum, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

top metal plate

p

1.8 cm Y +
particle
1.2 × 103 V
X 1.8 cm
charge –4.2 × 10–9 C –
mass 5.9 × 10–6 kg
velocity 0.75 m s–1

bottom metal plate

Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)

The separation of the plates is 3.6 cm. The electric field between the plates is uniform.

A particle of mass 5.9 × 10–6 kg and charge –4.2 × 10–9 C enters the field at point X with a
horizontal velocity of 0.75 m s–1 along a line midway between the two plates.
The particle is deflected by the field and hits the top plate at point Y.

(i) Calculate the magnitude of the electric force acting on the particle in the field.

electric force = ...................................................... N [3]

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(ii) By considering the resultant vertical force acting on the particle, show that the
acceleration of the particle in the electric and gravitational fields is 14 m s–2.

[4]

(iii) Determine:

1. the time taken for the particle to move from X to Y

time taken = ....................................................... s [2]

2. the distance p of point Y from the left-hand edge of the top plate.

p = ...................................................... m [1]

[Total: 12]

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