PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

PAPER-1 Multiple Choice

1- Two insulated metal spheres X and Y are initially in contact. While

a positively charged rod is near X the spheres are moved apart. After
this action X has a negative charge. The charge on Y will be:

A negative and smaller than that on X.

B negative and the same size as that on X.
C positive and smaller than that on X.
D positive and the same size as that on X. [Nov-2002] / [Nov-2006]

2- A perspex rod can be charged positively by rubbing it with a woolen cloth.How does the rod gain its
charge?
A The rod gains electrons. B The rod gains protons.
C The rod loses electrons. D The rod loses protons.

3- Two uncharged metal spheres, not touching one another,

are suspended by means of cotton thread. A positively
charged rod is brought near.
Which diagram shows what happens to the spheres? A

[May-2007]

4- On a stormy day, a large, positively-charged cloud is above a tree. An electrical charge is induced on the
tree as charged particles flow through it.

What is the charge induced on the tree and how do the charged particles move?
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

charge on tree movement of charged particles through tree

A negative negatively charged particles move down the tree
B negative negatively charged particles move up the tree
C positive positively charged particles move down the tree
D positive positively charged particles move up the tree

[May-2004]

5-A positively charged rod is brought close to an insulated metal

sphere.
Which diagram best shows the induced charges on the sphere?

[Nov-2003]

6- Which diagram correctly shows the

electric field between two charged
spheres? [May-2003]

7- Four processes are used to charge an isolated metal sphere.

 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

P The sphere is earthed by touching it.

Q The earth connection is removed from the sphere.
R A charged rod is brought close to the sphere.
S The charged rod is removed.
In which order should these processes be carried out to charge the sphere?

first → last
A P Q R S
B P R S Q
C R P Q S
D R S P Q [Nov-2002] / [Nov-2005]

8- How could the unit of potential difference, the volt, also be written? [Nov-2003]
A A/s B C/A C C/J D J/C

9- The diagram shows a positively charged acetate strip and a negatively charged polythene strip

that are freely suspended.

Two rods X and Y are brought up in turn to these two strips. Rod X attracts the acetate strip but
repels the polythene strip. Rod Y does not repel either the acetate strip or the polythene strip.
Which type of charge is on each rod?
rod X rod Y
A negative positive
B negative uncharged
C positive negative
D positive uncharged
[May-2005]

10- In an electrostatics experiment, a plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth. The cloth becomes negatively
charged. Which diagram shows the charge on the rod, and describes the movement of charge? A

[May-2006]

11- A negatively-charged balloon is brought towards a wall. Which statement explains what happen
A Negative charges on the balloon attract the negative charges in the wall.
B Negative charges on the balloon have no effect on the charges in the wall.
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

C Negative charges on the balloon repel the negative charges in the wall.
D Negative charges on the balloon repel the positive charges in the wall.
[May-2009]

12- A negatively-charged rod is brought close to an isolated T-shaped piece of metal. Initially, the metal is
uncharged. Which diagram shows the induced charge on the metal? A

[Nov-2009]

13- Two metal spheres P and Q are mounted on insulating stands and are touching each other. They are
uncharged. A positively-charged metal sphere on an insulating handle is brought close to P but does not
touch it. This induces charges on P and Q.

The positively-charged metal sphere is held in this position and sphere Q

is moved to the right, away from sphere P.
What are the signs of the induced charges on P and Q and how do the sizes of these charges compare?
charge on P charge on Q sizes of the charges
A negative positive equal
B negative positive equal
C positive negative equal
D positive negative equal
[May-2010]

14- A negatively-charged sphere X is brought up to an identical uncharged sphere Y. The spheres do not
touch.

Sphere Y is ‘earthed’ by touching it with a finger, which is then removed. Sphere X is then moved away
from sphere Y. What is the final charge, if any, on sphere Y? B
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

[Nov-2010]

PAPER-2 Theory

1- A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth and becomes negatively charged.

(a) Explain how the rod becomes negatively charged when rubbed with a cloth.

(b) An uncharged metal-coated sphere hangs from an insulating thread. The sphere is brought
near to the rod. The sphere is attracted to the rod, as shown in Fig. 11.1.

(i) Describe and explain what

happens to the free electrons in the
metal-coated sphere as it approaches the
rod.

(ii) Draw a diagram to show how

charge is distributed on the sphere.

(iii) Explain why the uncharged

sphere is attracted to the negatively-
charged rod.

(c) With the charged rod still close,

point X on the metal-coated sphere is
earthed.
(i) State what is meant by earthing
the sphere.

(ii) Describe and explain what happens to the free electrons in the metal-coated sphere as it is earthed.

(iii) Draw a diagram to show how the charge is now distributed on the sphere.

(d) Describe one device where electrostatic charging is used. In your answer include a diagram and explain
how and why the charge is produced.
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

[May-2007]

2- Electrostatic charges can be placed on objects by

friction.
(a) State the name of the charged particle that is
transferred from one object to another in
this process.

(b) Fig. 5.1 shows petrol (gasolene) being pumped into a

can. Electrostatic charges build
up on the petrol and the pipe.
(i) Explain why this is dangerous.

(ii) State what can be done to stop the electrostatic charge

building up in this way.

3- Fig. 5.1 shows the boiler of a coal-fired power station. Hot gases rise and thermal energy
warms the water inside the metal pipes.

(a) (i) Explain why the hot gases rise.

(ii) Explain how energy passes through the metal pipes by conduction. Use your ideas about particles.

(b) Fig. 5.2 shows an electrostatic precipitator that stops dust and ash emerging from the chimney.
Explain how the precipitator works. [Nov-2002]
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

4- An experiment to show charging by induction uses a metal sphere

mounted on an insulated support. The sphere is initially uncharged and
is shown in Fig. 6.1.

(a) A negatively charged rod is brought near the sphere, as shown in Fig.
6.2.

(i) State and explain the movement of

electrons in the sphere that occurs as
the rod is brought near.

(ii) On Fig. 6.2, draw the charges on the metal sphere.

(b) The metal sphere is now touched at point A by a wire

connected to earth, as shown in Fig. 6.3.
On Fig. 6.3, draw the charges on the metal sphere.

(c) The wire connected to earth is removed. Then the negatively charged rod is also
removed, as shown in Fig. 6.4.On Fig. 6.4, draw the charges on the metal sphere.

(d) The support is made from an insulator.

State one material that may be used to make the support. [Nov-2004]

5- Two conducting spheres are rubbed and become charged,

as shown in Fig. 5.1.
 PHYSICS O - LEVEL PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
TOPIC-15 Static Electricity

(a) The spheres are uncharged before they are rubbed.

Explain, in terms of the movement of electrons, how they become charged.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................
(b) On Fig. 5.1, draw the electric field pattern between the spheres. Show the direction of the field lines.

(c) A metal wire is used to connect the two spheres together. In a time of 2.0 × 10–3 s, a charge of 1.8 × 10–13
C passes through the wire.Calculate the current in the wire.
current = .......................

[May-2006]

PAPER-4 Alternative to Practical