Forces on a current-carrying conductor
4.5.4What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe an experiment to show that a force acts on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing: (a) the current (b) the direction of the field
- Recall and use the relative directions of force, magnetic field and current
- Describe the magnetic field patterns between currents in parallel conductors and relate these to the forces on the conductors (excluding the Earth’s field)
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Forces on a current-carrying conductor
Drill this topic
Every question on Forces on a current-carrying conductor, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
14 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q34Show mark scheme →
Adirection of conventional current: from X to Y; direction of flow of electrons: from X to Y
Bdirection of conventional current: from X to Y; direction of flow of electrons: from Y to X
Cdirection of conventional current: from Y to X; direction of flow of electrons: from X to Y
Ddirection of conventional current: from Y to X; direction of flow of electrons: from Y to X
Mark scheme
2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
AThe forces are in the same direction, and the conductors are forced apart.
BThe forces are in opposite directions, and the conductors are forced apart.
CThe forces are in the same direction, and the conductors are forced towards each other.
DThe forces are in opposite directions, and the conductors are forced towards each other.
Mark scheme
3May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q34Show mark scheme →
Aleft to right
Bright to left
Cinto the page
Dout of the page
Mark scheme
4Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles ✓, beta-particles ✗, neutrons ✓
Balpha-particles ✓, beta-particles ✗, neutrons ✗
Calpha-particles ✗, beta-particles ✓, neutrons ✓
Dalpha-particles ✗, beta-particles ✓, neutrons ✗
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
6May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Ainto the page
Bout of the page
Cup the page
Ddown the page
Mark scheme
7May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Acurrent, field, force
Bfield, force, current
Cforce, current, field
Dforce, field, current
Mark scheme
8May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
AThe side WX experiences an upward force.
BThe side XY experiences an outward force.
CThe side YZ experiences an inward force.
DThe side ZW experiences a downward force.
Mark scheme
9May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q34Show mark scheme →
A1 and 3
B2 and 3
C2 and 4
D3 and 4
Mark scheme
10May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Aconventional current →, magnetic field ↓
Bconventional current →, magnetic field ↑
Cconventional current ←, magnetic field ↓
Dconventional current ←, magnetic field ↑
Mark scheme
11Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Areverse both the direction of the current and the poles of the magnet
Breverse just the direction of the current
Cuse a stronger magnet
Duse a thicker wire with the same current
Mark scheme
12May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
Ainto the page
Bout of the page
Ctowards the north pole
Dtowards the south pole
Mark scheme
13Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q36Also set in Oct / Nov 2016 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Ainto the plane of the paper
Bout of the plane of the paper
Ctowards the left
Dtowards the right
Mark scheme
14May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Ainto the page
Bout of the page
Ctowards the N-pole
Dtowards the S-pole
Mark scheme