Electric charge: past paper questions
Real questions on electric charge
The newest 20 of 51 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[1]
The scientist measures the mass of the pebble. State the name of a suitable instrument for measuring the mass of a pebble.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[2]
Complete the definition of an electric field. An electric field is a region where
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(i)[1]
State and explain whether the charge on the metal sphere is positive or negative. statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(ii)[4]
The metal sphere touches the rod. State what happens to the sphere. Explain this in terms of the movement of particles. statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · October/November 2025 · Q7c(i)[2]
electrically conducting material State the name of one electrically conducting material and the name of one electrically insulating material.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2025 · Q8b(ii)[1]
State and explain the direction of the electric field between the plates. direction explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
The reading on thermometer Y is not 24 °C. Explain why the readings on the two thermometers are not the same.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[1]
State what is meant by an electric field.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(i)[2]
Explain why.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(ii)[3]
The negatively charged plastic rod is suspended by an insulating thread. Another negatively charged plastic rod is brought close to the suspended rod. State what happens to the suspended plastic rod.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(i)[1]
State what is meant by an electric field.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(ii)[2]
Fig. 8.1 shows a negative point charge. negative point charge − Fig. 8.1 On Fig. 8.1, draw four field lines to show the pattern and the direction of the electric field due to the negative point charge.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(i)[2]
There is an electric field around sphere S. On Fig. 5.1, draw four field lines to show the pattern of the field and indicate the direction of the field with arrows on the lines.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(ii)[1]
Fig. 5.2 shows a position X next to sphere S. A small negatively charged particle is placed at position X. X S Fig. 5.2 State the direction of the force on the negatively charged particle at X due to the electric field around sphere S.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(iii)[2]
The negatively charged particle at X is released from rest. Describe the motion of the small negatively charged particle due to the electric field around sphere S.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q5b(i)[1]
Explain why the paint particles spread out when they leave the nozzle.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q5b(ii)[2]
Suggest and explain one advantage to using charged paint from a spray gun to paint sphere S. advantage explanation The sphere can be painted by hand using a paintbrush. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q7a(i)[2]
On Fig. 7.1, draw at least four field lines to show the pattern and the direction of the electric field between the two charged plates.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q7a(ii)[1]
Describe the effect on a negatively charged particle placed at X.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q7b(i)[2]
Calculate the charge that flows from the cloud to the ground. charge =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The majority of candidates wrote about dull black surfaces being good absorbers, but only those candidates who had read the question carefully realised that this situation was about dull black surfaces being good emitters.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/32 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Some candidates had clearly learnt this definition and remembered it accurately. Weaker responses did not mention charge, or simply referred to an object, or just stated that a field was force acting on a charge without specifying that it was a region or an area. These answers were insufficient. Incorrect responses included electricity or magnetic fields in the answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/42 Q7(a) (Cambridge)
Most candidates showed a clear understanding of the correct movement of electrons and were awarded full credit. Some candidates contradicted their answer by describing an initial overall charge on the objects, or a movement of ions or positive charges.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/42 Q7(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.