Edexcel GCSE Physics
Edexcel GCSE Physics Topic 11: Static Electricity Exam Questions
Free Edexcel GCSE Physics exam questions for Topic 11: Static Electricity, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers charging insulators by friction, electron transfer, attraction and repulsion, earthing, sparks, uses and dangers of static and electric fields.
Topic 11: 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 Edexcel GCSE Physics Topic 11: Static Electricity
Topic 11 is a separate physics topic on Paper 2. It explains how insulating materials become charged when rubbed together because electrons are transferred from one material to the other, and why charged objects attract or repel. You need to explain everyday effects such as clothes clinging and shocks from car doors, the dangers of static when refuelling aircraft and tankers, and uses such as electrostatic paint spraying. The topic also introduces electric fields, including the field around a point charge and between parallel plates. It links to Topic 10, since a flow of charge is a current. Examiners focus on correct explanations in terms of electrons.
What you need to know
- Charging by friction When two insulators are rubbed together, electrons are transferred from one to the other. The material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged; the one that loses electrons becomes positively charged.
- Forces between charges Like charges repel and unlike charges attract. A charged object can attract a neutral object by inducing a charge on its surface.
- Sparks and earthing If enough charge builds up, the p.d. can become large enough to cause a spark. Earthing provides a conducting path so electrons can flow to or from the ground and remove the charge safely.
- Dangers Sparks can ignite fuel vapour when refuelling aircraft or tankers, so the vehicle is earthed with a bonding cable. Static can also give people shocks.
- Uses Electrostatic paint spraying: paint droplets are given the same charge so they spread out, and the object is given the opposite charge so paint is attracted to it, giving an even coat with less waste.
- Electric fields A charged object creates an electric field. Field lines show the direction of force on a positive charge: radially outwards from a positive point charge and uniform between oppositely charged parallel plates.
Common mistakes in Topic 11: Static Electricity
- Saying positive charges or protons move when objects are rubbed. Only electrons are transferred.
- Saying a material becomes positive by gaining positive charge. It becomes positive because it loses electrons.
- Saying earthing removes positive charge from the ground. Electrons flow to or from earth to neutralise the object.
- Drawing field lines pointing towards a positive charge. Field lines point away from positive and towards negative charges.
- Thinking conductors can be charged by rubbing while held in the hand. Charge flows away through the person, which is why insulators are used.
Try three Topic 11: Static Electricity exam-style questions
1. A polythene rod becomes negatively charged when rubbed with a cloth. Explain how this happens. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Electrons are transferred from the cloth to the rod; the rod gains extra electrons so it becomes negative (and the cloth becomes positive).
2. Explain why an aircraft must be earthed before refuelling. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Friction between fuel and pipe can transfer charge so charge builds up; a large p.d. could cause a spark that ignites the fuel vapour; earthing lets electrons flow to or from earth so charge does not build up.
3. Describe how electrostatic paint spraying gives an even coat. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Paint droplets are given the same charge; they repel each other so spread out into a fine spray; the object is given the opposite charge so the paint is attracted to it, including the back and sides.
Topic 11: Static Electricity FAQs
What does Edexcel GCSE Physics Topic 11 Static Electricity cover?
It covers charging by friction, forces between charges, sparks and earthing, uses and dangers of static, and electric field patterns.
Which paper is Topic 11 examined on?
Topic 11 is assessed on Paper 2.
How do I write a good static electricity explanation?
Always explain in terms of electrons being transferred, say which object gains or loses electrons, and then link the charge to attraction, repulsion or sparking.
