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CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science P4.2.1 Electrical charge Exam Style Questions Paper 4

Question

Fig. 12.1 shows a large electromagnet used to lift scrap metal.
(a) The electromagnet lifts the car to a height of 15 m. The car has a mass of 1200 kg.
Calculate the work done on the car when it is lifted to a height of 15 m.
The gravitational field strength is \(g = 10 \text{ N/kg}\).
(b) The electromagnet is made from a solenoid.
Fig. 12.2 shows a solenoid.
(i) On Fig. 12.2 draw the pattern of the magnetic field produced when a current passes through the solenoid.
Include an arrow showing the direction of the magnetic field.
(ii) The solenoid uses a current of 50 A.
Calculate the amount of charge which flows through the solenoid in 30 s.
State the unit for your answer.
(iii) The solenoid has a resistance of 5.0 Ω when the current is 50 A.
Calculate the power of the electromagnet.
(c) Electromagnets can be made much stronger than permanent magnets.
State one other advantage of using an electromagnet to lift scrap metal.

Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654, 2025–2027 syllabus):

• Topic P1.6.2 — Work (Part (a))
• Topic P4.5.3 — Magnetic effect of current (Part (b)(i))
• Topic P4.2.1 — Electrical charge (Part (b)(ii))
• Topic P4.2.5 — Electrical energy and electrical power (Part (b)(iii))
• Topic P4.5.3 — Magnetic effect of current (Part (c))

▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a)

Work done = force × distance = weight × height = \(mgh\).
\( W = 1200 \times 10 \times 15 = \mathbf{180\,000} \textbf{ J} \) (or \(1.8 \times 10^5 \text{ J}\)).
The work done equals the gravitational potential energy gained by the car.

(b)(i)

The magnetic field pattern of a solenoid resembles that of a bar magnet: field lines emerge from one end (north pole), curve around the outside of the solenoid, and re-enter at the other end (south pole).
Inside the solenoid, the field lines run parallel and are evenly spaced, indicating a uniform magnetic field.
The direction of the field (north pole end) is determined by the right-hand rule applied to the direction of current flow in the coil.

(b)(ii)

Using \( Q = It \): \( Q = 50 \times 30 = \mathbf{1500} \).
Unit: C (coulombs).
Charge is the product of current (in amperes) and time (in seconds), giving the total quantity of electric charge that has flowed.

(b)(iii)

First find the voltage: \( V = IR = 50 \times 5.0 = 250 \text{ V} \).
Then calculate power: \( P = IV = 50 \times 250 = \mathbf{12\,500} \textbf{ W} \).
Alternatively, \( P = I^2 R = 50^2 \times 5.0 = 2500 \times 5.0 = 12\,500 \text{ W} \).

(c)

One other advantage: the electromagnet can be switched on and off (by turning the current on or off).
This means the electromagnet can easily release the scrap metal by switching off the current, which a permanent magnet cannot do.
This makes it practical and controllable for lifting and dropping metal objects at a scrapyard.

Question

A student investigates the use of cotton wool to insulate a beaker of hot water at \(90\,^{\circ}C\).
(a) The student uses a digital thermometer to measure the temperature of the water in the beaker as it cools.
The student repeats the experiment using different thicknesses of cotton wool.
Fig. 9.1 shows a graph of the results.
(i) Predict the temperature after 5.0 minutes of a beaker of water which is insulated with 2.0 cm of insulation.
Use the results shown in Fig. 9.1 to explain your answer.
(ii) Complete the sentences about the digital thermometer.
The digital thermometer contains two wires made of different metals.
The wires are joined together at each end to form two junctions.
This arrangement is known as a ____.
(b) The student uses an electric kettle to heat the water for the investigation.
The electric kettle has a power rating of \(1800\,\text{W}\) when a potential difference of \(240\,\text{V}\) is applied.
Calculate the resistance of the kettle.
(c) Plastic is an electrical insulator.
Fig. 9.2 shows two lightweight, plastic sheets suspended by insulating threads.
Each plastic sheet is positively charged.
(i) Explain what is observed when the two plastic sheets are moved close to each other.
(ii) Describe how a plastic sheet can become positively charged.

Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654, 2025–2027 syllabus):

• Topic P2.3.1 — Conduction (Part (a)(i))
• General physics knowledge — temperature sensors (Part (a)(ii))
• Topic P4.2.4 — Resistance (Part (b))
• Topic P4.2.1 — Electrical charge (Part (c))

▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a)(i) Any value from 36°C to 50°C

A 2.0 cm thickness lies between the 1.0 cm and 3.0 cm curves shown on the graph.
Since 2.0 cm reduces the rate of heat loss (conduction to the surroundings) more than 1.0 cm of insulation but less than 3.0 cm, its final temperature should lie between the two curves at 5.0 minutes.

(a)(ii) Thermocouple

Two different metal wires joined at two junctions form a thermocouple, which generates a small voltage dependent on the temperature difference between the junctions, allowing temperature to be measured electronically.

(b) \(32\,\Omega\)

Current is found using \(I = \dfrac{P}{V} = \dfrac{1800}{240} = 7.5\,\text{A}\).
Resistance is then found using \(R = \dfrac{V}{I} = \dfrac{240}{7.5} = 32\,\Omega\).

(c)(i) They move apart

Both plastic sheets carry the same (positive) charge.
Like charges repel each other, so the sheets will move apart/swing away from each other.

(c)(ii) Charging by friction

Rubbing the plastic sheet against another surface causes friction between the two materials.
This transfers electrons from the plastic sheet to the other surface, leaving the plastic sheet with an overall positive charge (a deficit of electrons).

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