This question is about static electricity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 10
This question is about static electricity.
(a) A student has a rubber balloon tied to a long piece of cotton thread.
The student gives the balloon an overall electr... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about static electricity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe one way that the student could give the balloon an overall electrostatic charge.
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Answer
The student can give the balloon an overall electrostatic charge by rubbing it against a different material, such as hair or wool. This process transfers electrons from one material to the other, resulting in the balloon obtaining a net charge.
Step 2
Which of these sentences explains why the overall charge on the balloon is negative?
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Answer
A Negative charge has been removed from the balloon.
Step 3
Explain how the student can show that the two balloons have the same type of charge.
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Answer
To show that the two balloons have the same type of charge, the student can bring them close together. If the balloons repel each other, this indicates that they have the same type of charge, either both negative or both positive.
Step 4
Which of these diagrams shows how the charge is distributed on the metal disc?
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Answer
The correct diagram would show the induced positive charge on the side of the metal disc that is closest to the negatively charged plastic block.
Step 5
Explain why the disc now has an overall positive charge.
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Answer
When the metal disc is earthed by tapping it, electrons flow from the disc to the ground. As a result, the disc loses electrons and acquires an overall positive charge since it now has more protons than electrons.
Step 6
On Figure 27, draw lines to show the shape and direction of the electric field between the metal disc and the plastic block.
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Answer
The electric field lines should be drawn starting from the positively charged metal disc and pointing towards the negatively charged plastic block, indicating the direction of force that a positive test charge would experience.
