Grade 11 Physical Sciences · Electricity and Magnetism

Draw electric field patterns

Draw electric field lines around one or two charges, with arrows pointing away from positive and towards negative charges.

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10.06 How to draw electric field patternsMr Naga Physics

How To Draw Electric Field Lines of Point Charges - College PhysicsThe Organic Chemistry Tutor

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Question 7.2 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

A sphere X is placed at point A on a horizontal surface. X carries a charge of

+ 3 \times 1 0^{- 7}

C. Point P is r metres to the left of point A, as shown in the diagram below.

The magnitude of the electric field at point P is

1, 08 \times 1 0^{6}

N·C

^{- 1}

7.2 Draw the electric field pattern due to the charge on sphere X.(2)

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

More past paper questions: draw electric field patterns

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3. Question 7.1.1 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
7.1 X is a point $0, 025$ m away from a $+ 4$ nC point charge. See the diagram below.
7.1.1 Draw the electric field pattern due to the $+ 4$ nC charge.(2)
Show the memo (2 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct shapeStraight field lines radiating out from the charge in all directions (radial pattern), evenly spaced, not crossing or touching.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
2. ✓
  Correct directionArrows point away from the charge.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
4. Question 7.2 · November 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
P is a $+ 2$ nC point charge. X is a point $6$ cm away from charge P, as shown in the diagram below.
Point charge S, with a charge of $- 2$ nC, is placed $4$ cm to the right of charge P, as shown in the diagram below.
7.2 Draw the resultant electric field pattern due to charges P and S.(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  DirectionArrows point away from P (positive) and towards S (negative).
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
2. ✓
  ShapeCorrect shape of the electric field lines between the charges (curving from P to S) and on the outside of the charges.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
3. ✓
  Lines touch the charges, no crossingNo field lines crossing each other. Field lines must touch the charge, but not go inside the charge.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
5. Question 7.2 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
Two point charges, $A$ and $B$ , each with a charge of $+ 3 \times 1 0^{- 9}$ C, are stationary on a horizontal surface. Point $P$ is r metres from charge $A$ and 2r metres from charge $B$ , as shown in the diagram below.
7.2 Draw the resultant electric field pattern due to charges $A$ and $B$ .(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Direction of field linesArrows point away from both charges (both are positive).
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
2. ✓
  Shape between and outside the chargesLines bend away from each other between the charges (no line joins A to B), leaving a field-free point between them; outside, lines spread out radially.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
3. ✓
  Lines do not cross and touch the chargesNo field lines cross each other. Field lines touch the charges but do not go inside them.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
6. Question 7.2 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
Two point charges, X and Y, are held $0, 03$ m apart, as shown in the diagram below. The charge of X is $- 7, 2 \times 1 0^{- 9}$ C, while the charge of Y is $+ 7, 2 \times 1 0^{- 9}$ C.
7.2 Draw the net electric field pattern due to the two point charges.(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct shapeField lines run between X and Y, curving outwards between them, as for two opposite charges; some lines leave Y and some enter X from outside.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
2. ✓
  Correct direction from Y to XArrows point away from Y (positive) and towards X (negative).
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
3. ✓
  Lines do not cross and touch the chargesNo two lines cross, and every line starts or ends on a charge.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns

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