AQA GCSE Physics
AQA GCSE Physics 4.2.5 Static Electricity Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE Physics exam questions for 4.2.5 Static Electricity, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers charging insulators by friction, transfer of electrons, attraction and repulsion, sparks, electric fields and field patterns around charged spheres.
4.2.5 Static Electricity exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About AQA GCSE Physics 4.2.5 Static Electricity
Static electricity is a physics only section of AQA GCSE Physics, examined on Paper 1. It explains how rubbing two insulating materials together transfers electrons, leaving one object negatively charged and the other positively charged. You need to explain attraction, repulsion and sparking, and describe the electric field around a charged object. Examiners focus on whether you say electrons move (never positive charges), and on drawing field lines correctly around an isolated charged sphere.
What you need to know
- Charging by friction When certain insulating materials are rubbed against each other they become electrically charged. Negatively charged electrons are rubbed off one material and onto the other.
- Positive and negative charge The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged. The material that loses electrons is left with an equal positive charge. Only electrons move.
- Forces between charges Like charges repel and unlike charges attract. This is a non-contact force. Charged objects can also attract small uncharged objects such as bits of paper.
- Sparking If a large charge builds up, the potential difference between the object and earth can become high enough for charge to jump across the gap, causing a spark.
- Electric fields A charged object creates an electric field around itself. The field is strongest close to the object and gets weaker with distance. A second charged object placed in the field experiences a force.
- Field patterns Draw the field around an isolated charged sphere as straight radial lines. Arrows point away from a positive sphere and towards a negative sphere. Field lines show the direction of force on a positive charge.
- Explaining with fields Use the idea of electric fields to explain sparking and the non-contact force between charged objects: a strong field near a highly charged object can cause the air to conduct.
Common mistakes in 4.2.5 Static Electricity
- Saying positive charges (protons) move onto an object. Only electrons are transferred during charging by friction.
- Saying an object becomes positive because it gains positive charge. It becomes positive because it loses electrons.
- Drawing field lines that curve or cross around a single charged sphere. They should be straight, radial and evenly spaced.
- Forgetting arrows on field lines, or pointing them the wrong way. Arrows point away from positive and towards negative.
Try three 4.2.5 Static Electricity exam-style questions
1. A polythene rod is rubbed with a cloth and becomes negatively charged. Explain how the rod becomes charged. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Friction between the rod and cloth; transfers electrons from the cloth to the rod; the rod gains electrons so becomes negative (and the cloth is left positive).
2. Draw and describe the electric field pattern around an isolated positively charged sphere. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Straight radial field lines from the surface of the sphere; with arrows pointing outwards, away from the sphere.
3. Explain why a spark may jump from a charged object to an earthed conductor. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Charge builds up on the object; so the potential difference between the object and the earthed conductor increases; when it is high enough (strong electric field) the air conducts and electrons jump across the gap as a spark.
4.2.5 Static Electricity FAQs
What does AQA GCSE Physics 4.2.5 Static electricity cover?
It covers charging insulators by friction through the transfer of electrons, forces between charges, sparking, and electric fields around charged objects.
Is static electricity on Combined Science?
No, 4.2.5 is physics only, so it is only assessed on the separate AQA GCSE Physics course, on Paper 1.
What diagrams do I need to be able to draw?
The radial electric field around an isolated charged sphere, with arrows pointing out for positive and in for negative charge.
