Force on a current-carrying conductor: past paper questions
Real questions on force on a current-carrying conductor
The newest 20 of 22 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q9a(iii)[2]
Suggest two changes that each increase the force on the copper cylinder.
See it on the paper → - 0625/12 · October/November 2024 · Q32[1]
In which direction does the wire move when the current is reversed?
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2024 · Q8a(i)[3]
Fig. 8.2 shows the square card viewed from above. card Fig. 8.2 On Fig. 8.2, draw three magnetic field lines that indicate the direction of the magnetic field and how its strength varies with distance from the wire.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2024 · Q8a(ii)[2]
The current in the wire increases and the direction of the current is reversed. State how these changes affect the magnetic field.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q8a(i)[2]
Explain the direction of the turning effect as seen by an observer at O.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q8a(ii)[1]
The coil is replaced by an otherwise identical new coil with three turns and the same current in the coil. State how the turning effect compares with the turning effect in (i).
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q8a(iii)[1]
A third coil is identical to the coil in (i) except that its resistance is three times greater. The potential difference (p.d.) across the coil is the same as the p.d. in (i). State how the turning effect compares with the turning effect in (i).
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(i)[1]
Draw an end view of the position of the plane of the coil at time t 1 . Include the labels A and B.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(ii)[1]
Draw an end view of the position of the plane of the coil at time t 2 . Include the labels A and B.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(iii)[1]
Draw an end view of the position of the plane of the coil at time t 3 . Include the labels A and B.
See it on the paper → - 0625/11 · May/June 2023 · Q32[1]
What is the direction of the force on the wire exerted by the magnetic field?
See it on the paper → - 0625/21 · May/June 2023 · Q31[1]
In which direction does a force act on the electron when it enters the magnetic field?
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2023 · Q8a[1]
Determine the direction of movement of the side AB relative to the plane of the coil. direction of movement =
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2023 · Q8b[2]
Explain how you determined the direction in (a).
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2023 · Q8c[2]
State and explain what happens to the coil as it reaches the vertical position.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2023 · Q8d[3]
To operate as a motor, a split‑ring commutator and brushes are added to the parts shown in Fig. 8.1. Explain the effects of the split‑ring commutator and the brushes on the action of the motor.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2021 · Q10b(ii)[4]
The power supply is switched off and the wire returns to its original position. The power supply is then switched on so that the current is in the opposite direction. State and explain what happens to the wire.
See it on the paper → - 0625/12 · May/June 2021 · Q36[1]
Which two changes together will always make the coil spin more slowly?
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2021 · Q8b(i)[1]
The student wants to reverse the direction of the force on the wire. State one change that reverses the direction of the force on the wire.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2021 · Q8b(ii)[2]
The student increases the separation of the poles of the permanent magnets. State and explain how increasing the separation affects the force on the current-carrying wire.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Stronger answers had concentric circles, centred on the wire, and clearly showing a greater difference in radius between the second and third circles than between the first and second circles. Circles drawn freehand, rather than with compasses, often did not show a clear difference in radius. Most candidates correctly indicated the direction of the magnetic field. Some candidates who drew multiple...
— Examiner report, February/March 2024, 0625/42 Q8(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates stated that the magnetic field strength increases and the direction of the field reverses. Weaker candidates sometimes stated only that the magnetic field direction changes, which was insufficient to gain credit.
— Examiner report, February/March 2024, 0625/42 Q8(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates attempted an answer for this question and many were awarded partial credit for knowing that the direction of the coil would be clockwise. A few candidates said that the coil would turn to the right or towards the North pole but this was ambiguous since a coil turning both clockwise and anticlockwise would turn to the right. The explanation proved more challenging and answers often...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0625/43 Q8(a)(i) (Cambridge)
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