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A-LevelPhysicsMagnetic fields9702/42 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q85 Marks

Two long straight parallel wires P and Q carry currents into the plane of the paper, as shown in Fig. 8.1. The current in P is I and the current in Q is 2I. [Figure 8.1]

  1. (a)(i)On Fig. 8.1, draw an arrow to show the direction of the magnetic field at wire Q due to the current in wire P. Label this arrow B.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)On Fig. 8.1, draw another arrow to show the direction of the force acting on wire Q due to the current in wire P. Label this arrow F.[1]
  3. (b)(i)State, with a reason, how the magnitude of the force acting on wire P compares with the magnitude of the force acting on wire Q.[2]
  4. (b)(ii)State how the direction of the force on wire P compares with the direction of the force on wire Q.[1]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. arrow from Q pointing downwards, labelled B
  2. arrow from Q pointing towards P, labelled F
  3. force is proportional to product of both currents (I and 2I)
  4. or Newton's third law
  5. forces are equal
  6. opposite

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About this question

Topic
Magnetic fields, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Structured question, 5 marks.
Source
A-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2021 Paper 4 Variant 2, question 8.

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