Unit 4: Fields
Topic 4.2: Electric and Magnetic Fields Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Physics SL Topic 4.2. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Calculate2 marks
2026
A student builds a field tray: two copper strips 4.0 cm apart in shallow water, fed by 18 V.
Calculate the size of the field across the tray, with its unit.
Calculate the size of the field across the tray, with its unit.
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2026
The field lines around +q and +4q, a distance d apart, show a neutral point between them.
Where is it?
Where is it?
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2025
A proton starts from rest at the positive plate and is accelerated across a potential difference of 350 V.
State, in electronvolts, its kinetic energy when it reaches the negative plate.
State, in electronvolts, its kinetic energy when it reaches the negative plate.
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Unlock Question4Draw2 marks
2025
The diagram shows two vertical parallel plates; the left one is positive and the right one negative.
Draw the electric field lines between the plates.
Draw the electric field lines between the plates.
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A positively charged rod is brought close to, but not touching, an isolated neutral metal sphere.
While the rod is held in place the sphere is briefly earthed and the earth connection is then removed; finally the rod is taken away.
While the rod is held in place the sphere is briefly earthed and the earth connection is then removed; finally the rod is taken away.
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2025
Two electric forces act on a charge at right angles to each other: 3F and 4F.
What is the resultant force?
What is the resultant force?
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2026
Write down what is meant by the electric field strength at a point, and the SI unit it is measured in.
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2025
An air filter charges dust, then passes it between metal sheets 5.0 mm apart held at 2.0 kV.
Calculate the size of the field that pulls the dust aside.
Calculate the size of the field that pulls the dust aside.
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2025
A charged oil drop hangs still between horizontal plates; the lower plate is positive and the upper plate negative.
State the sign of the charge on the drop.
State the sign of the charge on the drop.
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2025
When the plates are switched on with the upper plate positive, a small charged droplet that was falling starts to rise.
State the sign of the charge on the droplet.
State the sign of the charge on the droplet.
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2026
A bar magnet lies with end X on the left and end Y on the right. A compass on the axis, to the left of X, points its N end away from the magnet.
What are the poles X and Y?
What are the poles X and Y?
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Unlock Question12Explain1 mark
2025
Water droplets sprayed through a narrow nozzle are found to carry charge.
Explain why.
Explain why.
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2025
A cathode-ray tube steers its beam with a pair of deflecting sheets 15 mm apart and 450 V across them.
Calculate the size of the field the beam passes through.
Calculate the size of the field the beam passes through.
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2026
State what is meant by a uniform electric field, and where one can be found.
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2025
Dust particles blown through a plastic pipe come out electrically charged.
Explain why.
Explain why.
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2026
Field lines are drawn for charges +2q and −q close together.
Which is correct?
Which is correct?
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2025
In a school demonstration, a 300 V supply is wired to two metal sheets held 0.060 m apart, facing each other.
Calculate the size of the uniform field in the gap.
Calculate the size of the uniform field in the gap.
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2026
A 9.0 V battery sits across a homemade capacitor of two foil sheets 1.5 cm apart.
Calculate the size of the field between the foils, with its unit.
Calculate the size of the field between the foils, with its unit.
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2026
In a lab, a 25 V supply feeds two metal rails held 5.0 cm apart.
Calculate the size of the field between the rails, with its unit.
Calculate the size of the field between the rails, with its unit.
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2026
A student sketches the field around +q and +3q placed near each other.
Which feature must the sketch have?
Which feature must the sketch have?
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