Electromagnetic induction: past paper questions
Real questions on electromagnetic induction
The newest 20 of 37 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(i)[4]
Describe how a power station generates electrical power by burning fossil fuels.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2026 · Q4c[1]
State how the magnetic field at circle 3 is different from the magnetic field at circle 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2026 · Q4d[1]
(d) The bar magnet is moved into a coil of wire as shown in Figure 4.3. PAD N bar magnet coil of wire Figure 4.3 Complete the sentences to explain what happens. As the magnet moves into the coil, the coil experiences a changing magnetic field. €.1.f. .......... coil. This causes .......... coil which produces magnetic...
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[3]
A hydroelectric power station generates electrical power using the energy stored in water behind a dam. Describe how a hydroelectric power station generates electrical power.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(ii)[1]
Component C is made of soft iron. Describe the effect of this component on the generator.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q8b[3]
The coil of the generator rotates at a constant speed of two complete revolutions per second. Sketch a graph of the e.m.f. generated against time on the axes in Fig. 8.2. The coil is in the position shown in Fig. 8.1 at time = 0. e.m.f. / V 0.00 0.50 1.00 time / s 0.75 0.25
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(ii)[1]
Explain why an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is only induced when the coil is turning.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(iii)[1]
State one possible change that causes a larger e.m.f. to be induced.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q7c[3]
A square coil of many turns is placed close to the bar. Fig. 7.3 shows the plane of the square coil parallel to the flat circular surface at the right-hand end of the bar. terminals copper solenoid square coil bar Fig. 7.3 The resistance of the variable resistor is alternately increased and decreased. Explain what happ...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q5a[3]
Describe one method of generating electrical power from energy stored in water.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2023 · Q5b[2]
For the method you chose in (a), state one advantage and one disadvantage of generating electricity this way. advantage disadvantage
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q10a(i)[2]
When the magnet moves towards the coil of wire, the pointer on the sensitive voltmeter deflects to the right. Explain why the pointer deflects.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2023 · Q10a(ii)[2]
State two changes that increase the deflection on the sensitive voltmeter.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q7b(i)[1]
State the reading on the voltmeter when the wire is stationary between the poles.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q7b(ii)[1]
Give a reason for the reading on the voltmeter when the wire is moving in the direction shown in Fig. 7.2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q8b(i)[2]
There are 450 turns on the secondary coil. Calculate the number of turns on the primary coil. number of turns =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2023 · Q8b(ii)[3]
The electrical power transferred to the transformer by the high-voltage cable is 77 MW. Calculate the current in the primary coil. current =
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2022 · Q4b[3]
The power station contains a transformer. The primary voltage V p for the transformer is 25 000 V. The number of turns on the primary coil N p is 600. The number of turns on the secondary coil N s is 4800. Calculate the secondary voltage V s for the transformer. V s = V
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2022 · Q8b(i)[2]
Explain why there is a current in the copper.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2022 · Q8b(ii)[2]
The current in the copper produces a magnetic field of its own in the tube. The magnet falls much more slowly in the copper tube than in the plastic tube. Explain why the magnet falls more slowly in the copper tube.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were several good points to be made about how a hydroelectric power station generates electricity and many candidates gave strong coherent accounts. However, it appeared that many candidates had a detailed knowledge of one renewable means of generating electricity and one non-renewable method. So, in this question there were references to wind generation, wave generation, tidal, geothermal a...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
To gain credit here, candidates needed to realise that without the soft-iron core there is still a magnetic field between the magnets and so there is still an e.m.f. induced in the generator. Therefore, a correct answer focused on the difference that the soft iron makes. This can be expressed as strengthening the magnetic field or describing the increased output of the generator in terms of electr...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/41 Q8(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
A fully correct answer here had three components: a sine wave shape, exactly two cycles in 1.00 s and a maximum or minimum value at the start. Most candidates drew a reasonable sine wave, and many illustrated the correct frequency. Only the strongest candidates recognised where in the cycle the generator starts. Candidates are not expected to draw perfect waves under exam conditions. They can impr...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/41 Q8(b) (Cambridge)
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