Grade 11 Physical Sciences · Electricity and Magnetism · Paper 1 (Physics)

Electrostatics Grade 11

Real Electrostatics past paper questions and answers from 2023 to 2025, with each memo split into the ticks examiners give. Try one, mark yourself, and see exactly which skill cost you marks.

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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.

Electrostatics skills

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More Electrostatics Grade 11 questions and answers

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4. Question 7.1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
A small negative charge q placed at a fixed distance from charged sphere Q, experiences a force F, as shown in the diagram below.

The charge q is now removed.
7.1 Draw the electric field pattern for the charged sphere Q.(3)
Show the memo (2 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct shapeStraight (radial) field lines spreading out from the charge, starting on the sphere.
  1 mark · Draw electric field patterns
2. ✓
  Correct directionArrows on the field lines pointing away from the charge (Q is positive).
  2 marks · Draw electric field patterns
5. 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
6. Question 7.1 · 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.
7.1 Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at X.(3)
Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula $E = \frac{k Q}{r ^{2}}$
  1 mark · Calculate electric field strength
2. ✓
  Substitution $E = \frac{( 9 \times 1 0 ^{9} ) ( 2 \times 1 0 ^{- 9} )}{( 0 , 06 ) ^{2}}$
  1 mark · Calculate electric field strength
3. ✓
  Answer $E = 5 \times 1 0^{3}$ N·C $^{- 1}$ ( $5000$ N·C $^{- 1}$ )
  1 mark · Calculate electric field strength
7. Question 1.7 · 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).
1.7 The magnitudes of electric fields generated by different point charges are measured at a fixed point. For each measurement, the distance between this fixed point and the charges are the same.

Which ONE of the following sketch graphs CORRECTLY shows the relationship between the magnitude of the electric field (E) and the magnitude of the charge (Q)?(2)
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Choose the correct option $E = \frac{k Q}{r ^{2}}$ . With r fixed, $\frac{k}{r ^{2}}$ is a constant, so $E \propto Q$ : a straight line through the origin.
  
  Answer: A
  2 marks · Calculate electric field strength
8. 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
9. Question 7.1 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 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.
7.1 Describe an electric field.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Electric fieldElectric field is a region/space in which an electric charge experiences a force.
  2 marks · State electrostatics laws and definitions
10. Question 1.7 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer.
1.7 Two identically charged spheres, X and Y, carry charges of +2q and −6q respectively.

Sphere X experiences an electrostatic force F to the right when the distance between their centres is r.

The spheres are brought into contact and are then returned to their original positions.

Which ONE of the following represents the magnitude of the electrostatic force that sphere X experiences now?(2)
1. A $\frac{1}{4}$ F
2. B $\frac{1}{3}$ F
3. C 4F
4. D 12F
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct optionAfter contact each sphere has $Q = \frac{( + 2 q ) + ( - 6 q )}{2} = - 2 q$ .
  Before: $F \propto (2 q) (6 q) = 12 q^{2}$ . After: $F\' \propto (2q)(2q) = 4q^2$ .
  So $F\' = \frac{4}{12}F = \frac{1}{3}F$ .
  
  Answer: B
  2 marks · Calculate shared charge and electrons transferred

Electrostatics Grade 11 videos

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

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