Grade 11 Physical Sciences · Paper 1 (Physics)

Electricity and Magnetism Grade 11

Real past paper questions and answers from 2024 to 2025, with each memo split into the ticks examiners give. Try one, mark yourself, and see exactly which skill cost you marks.

past paper questions: 107 past paper questions
skills: 25 skills
videos: 25 videos

Try a real exam question

No sign-up. Takes 3 minutes.

Question 1.7 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.11 E.

1.7 Three point charges,

Q_{1}

Q_{2}

and

Q_{3}

, are fixed in a straight line.

Q_{1}

is r metres from

Q_{2}

, while

Q_{3}

is 2r metres from

Q_{2}

, as shown in the diagram below.

The magnitude of the charge on

Q_{2}

is q. The net electrostatic force on charge

Q_{1}

is zero.

What is the magnitude of charge

Q_{3}

in terms of q?(2) Diagram for question 1.7

A $\frac{1}{9}$ q
B $\frac{1}{3}$ q
C 3q
D 9q

Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.

What's in Electricity and Magnetism Grade 11

Each skill is one thing a memo gives a tick for. Tap a skill for its own questions, notes and videos.

Electrostatics58 past paper questions

Electromagnetism15 past paper questions

Electric Circuits36 past paper questions

More Electricity and Magnetism Grade 11 questions and answers

Try each one on paper before you open the memo.

1. Question 1.7 · May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.11 E.
1.7 R and S are two small charged spheres placed a distance apart. P is a point to the right of sphere S. $E_{R}$ and $E_{S}$ are the electric fields at point P due to the charges on spheres R and S respectively. See the diagram below.

Which ONE of the following combinations is CORRECT for the net charge on spheres R and S?(2)
1. A Sphere R: Positive; Sphere S: Negative
2. B Sphere R: Negative; Sphere S: Positive
3. C Sphere R: Negative; Sphere S: Negative
4. D Sphere R: Positive; Sphere S: Positive
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct optionThe electric field of a single charge points AWAY from a positive charge and TOWARDS a negative charge.
  
  $E_{R}$ at P points to the right, away from R, so R is positive.
  $E_{S}$ at P points to the left, towards S, so S is negative.
  
  Answer: A
  2 marks · Calculate electric field strength
2. Question 9.1 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
The simplified diagram below represents an AC generator with a coil rotating clockwise. X and Y are two points in the external circuit.
9.1 What is the direction of the current in the external circuit? Write either X to Y or Y to X.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Direction of the induced currentY to X
  2 marks · Use the right-hand rule
3. Question 1.8 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10).
1.8 The diagram below represents a circuit in which all the external resistors have the same resistance.

Which ONE of the ammeters in the circuit will have the LOWEST reading?(2)
1. A $A_{1}$
2. B $A_{2}$
3. C $A_{3}$
4. D $A_{4}$
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Choose the correct option $A_{1}$ and $A_{4}$ are in series with the battery, so each reads the total current.
  
  The total current splits between two parallel branches: the branch with $A_{2}$ has one resistor (R) and the branch with $A_{3}$ has two resistors in series (2R). The branch with the larger resistance takes the smaller current, so $A_{3}$ reads the lowest.
  
  Answer: C
  2 marks · Use series and parallel circuit rules
4. Question 1.7 · November 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
1.7 Two small identical spheres, each with mass m and charge +Q, are placed in a vertical cylinder. The spheres remain stationary when their centres are r metres apart, as shown in the diagram below. Ignore ALL frictional effects.

Which ONE of the following expressions can be used to CORRECTLY calculate the distance r?(2)
1. A $\frac{k Q ^{2}}{m g}$
2. B $\frac{km g}{Q ^{2}}$
3. C $\frac{Q ^{2}}{km g}$
4. D $\frac{m g}{k Q ^{2}}$
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct optionThe top sphere is stationary, so the upward electrostatic repulsion equals its weight:
  
  $\frac{k Q \cdot Q}{r ^{2}} = m g$
  
  $r^{2} = \frac{k Q ^{2}}{m g}$ , so $r = \frac{k Q ^{2}}{m g}$
  
  D is the trap: it is the same expression turned upside down.
  
  Answer: A
  2 marks · Apply Coulomb's law
5. Question 8.1 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks
The north pole of a magnet is pushed into a solenoid as shown in the diagram below.
8.1 What is the polarity of the magnetic field of the solenoid at point $A$ ?(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Polarity at ANorth pole
  2 marks · Use the right-hand rule

Electricity and Magnetism Grade 11 videos

Short lessons from South African teachers first. Videos load only when you tap play, to save your data.

Grade 11 Newton Laws: Free body and force diagramKevinmathscience

Grade 10 - Electrostatics | Conservation of Charge | Mlungisi NkosiMlungisi Nkosi Maths & Science

Electrostatics grade 11: IntroductionKevinmathscience

Electric Fields Electrostatics grade 11 and 12 summaryMiss Martins Maths and Science

Grade 11 and 12 Electrostatics Exam QuestionMiss Martins Maths and Science

Free on Android

Know exactly which skill is costing you marks.

Mark past papers tick by tick in the NavyBlue app. It remembers every mark you lose, shows you the skills to fix first, and picks your next questions.

The NavyBlue app showing a learner's weak skills