Grade 10 · CAPS

Grade 10 Electrostatics

Physical Sciences practice questions and a worked example

Grade 10 electrostatics covers charging, the forces between charges and the conservation of charge. The questions here ask you to explain how objects become charged, why unlike charges attract, calculate the charge on identical spheres after they touch, and calculate the number of electrons transferred with n = Q/e. They come from the DBE Grade 10 common Paper 1 for November 2016, 2017 and 2018, each with the answer from the marking guideline.

Worked example

Two small identical spheres, A and B, are suspended on long silk threads, as shown in the sketch below. The spheres carry charges of +3 x 10⁻⁶ C and -2 x 10⁻⁶ C respectively. 10.3 The spheres are now separated. Calculate the new charge on sphere B.

Answer

Qnew = (Q1 + Q2)/2 = (+3 × 10⁻⁶ + (–2 × 10⁻⁶))/2 = 5 × 10⁻⁷ C

Test your understanding

Try a similar Grade 10 Electrostatics question and get a useful next step based on your answer.

No account needed to start.

Electrostatics

Question 1 of 3

1.9 A rubber balloon obtains a negative charge after it has been rubbed against human hair. Which ONE of the statements below best explains why this happens?
Choose your answer

Learn from each answer, right or wrong.

Try again before revealing the solution.

More practice questions

Explore additional Grade 10 Electrostatics questions.

  • 2
    Two small identical spheres, A and B, are suspended on long silk threads, as shown in the sketch below. The spheres carry charges of +3 x 10⁻⁶ C and -2 x 10⁻⁶ C respectively. 10.4 Calculate the number of electrons transferred during contact.
  • 3
    1.9 Two identical spheres, X and Y, on insulated stands, carry charges of 3 µC and -5 µC respectively. The spheres are brought into contact with each other and returned to their original positions. The charge on EACH sphere after contact is …
  • 4
    A neutral plastic ruler becomes charged when it is rubbed with a woollen cloth. After rubbing, the ruler has a charge of -3,5 x 10⁻¹⁵ C. 10.1 Distinguish between a neutral object and a charged object.
  • 5
    A neutral plastic ruler becomes charged when it is rubbed with a woollen cloth. After rubbing, the ruler has a charge of -3,5 x 10⁻¹⁵ C. 10.2 Does the ruler GAIN or LOSE electrons?

Common mistakes

  • Saying positive charges move. In solids only electrons are transferred; an object becomes positive by losing electrons.
  • Forgetting the sign when two spheres touch. Add the charges with their signs, then divide by two.
  • Using the total charge instead of the change in charge when counting the electrons transferred.

More Grade 10 Physical Sciences topics

Aligned to CAPS Grade 10 Physical Sciences — Electrostatics. Curriculum source: CAPS for the FET Phase, Department of Basic Education.

Need more help with Grade 10 Physical Sciences?

Work through Physical Sciences one-on-one with a verified tutor.

Find a tutor

Exam preparation

Know what to work on before your exams.

Practise with questions from past papers, track your progress, and discover which topics need more attention.

Set up my exam

Homework Assist

Stuck on a question?

Work through it with Homework Assist.

Try Homework Assist

How Homework Assist works