State one similarity and one difference between the fields of force produced by an isolated point charge and by an isolated point mass.
- (a)State one similarity and one difference between the fields of force produced by an isolated point charge and by an isolated point mass.[2]
- (b)An isolated solid metal sphere A of radius R has charge +Q, as illustrated in Fig. 5.1. [Figure 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.[2]
- (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. [Figure 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]
- (c)(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]
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Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [B1] similarity: both are radial / both have inverse square (variations)
- [B1] difference: direction is always/only towards the mass / direction can be towards or away from charge
- [C1] field strength = Q / 4πε₀x²
- [A1] E = Q / 36πε₀R²
- [B1] fields (due to each sphere) are in same direction
- [B1] charges on spheres attract/affect each other / charge distribution on each sphere distorted by the other sphere / charges on the surface of the spheres move
- [B1] spheres are not point charges (at their centres)
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