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O-LevelPhysicsElectricity5054/22 · Oct/Nov 2022 · Q813 Marks

An uncharged plastic rod is rubbed with an uncharged woollen cloth. As a result, the rod becomes negatively charged.

  1. (a)Explain, in terms of particles, how the rod becomes charged and state what happens to the cloth.[2]
  2. (b)Fig. 8.1 shows a metal sphere X on a plastic stand. [Figure 8.1] Explain why metals are electrical conductors and why plastics are electrical insulators.[2]
  3. (c)(i)The negatively charged plastic rod is held above sphere X. Fig. 8.2 shows that it does not touch the sphere. [Figure 8.2] By drawing on Fig. 8.2, show the distribution of charge on X.[2]
  4. (c)(ii)An earth wire is now connected to the metal sphere as shown in Fig. 8.3. [Figure 8.3] State what happens to the charges on the sphere as the earth wire is connected.[1]
  5. (c)(iii)The earth wire in (ii) stays connected to the metal sphere. Describe the distribution of charge on the sphere.[2]
  6. (c)(iv)The earth wire is disconnected from the sphere and then the negatively charged rod is moved away from the sphere. Explain what happens to the charges on the sphere as the charged rod is moved away.[2]
  7. (d)(i)A second metal sphere Y is negatively charged. There is an electric field surrounding Y. State what is meant by 'electric field'.[1]
  8. (d)(ii)Fig. 8.4 shows the negatively charged sphere Y. The negative charges are not shown. [Figure 8.4] On Fig. 8.4, draw the pattern and mark the direction of the electric field lines surrounding sphere Y.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [B1] electrons move from the cloth / to the rod
  2. [B1] cloth becomes positively charged
  3. [B1] mention of free / mobile / delocalised / sea of electrons
  4. [B1] (free) electrons present in metal and not present in plastic
  5. [B1] positive signs at top (half) of sphere and negative signs at the bottom
  6. [B1] equal number of each and number < 7
  7. [B1] negative charges / electrons flow to earth (and positive charges do not move)
  8. [B1] (only) top of sphere is / stays positive
  9. [B1] bottom of sphere is uncharged / neutral
  10. [B1] charges repel each other or as earth wire is disconnected, charge distribution does not change
  11. [B1] (positive) charge is spread (uniformly) over (the surface of) the sphere
  12. [B1] (region of space) where an (electrically) charged particle / charge experiences an (extra) force
  13. [B1] at least five straight lines outside Y and none curved and perpendicular to the surface
  14. [B1] at least one arrowhead pointing inwards and none wrong
  15. [B1] field lines uniformly spaced at surface of sphere and no crossing / touching anywhere

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About this question

Topic
Electricity, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Structured question, 13 marks.
Source
O-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2022 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 8.

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