Electric Charge and Force Practice Questions
AP (Advanced Placement) · AP Physics 1 · 149 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
149
Total
39
Easy
82
Medium
28
Hard
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Sample Questions from Electric Charge and Force
Here are 10 sample questions. Start a quiz to get randomized questions with scoring.
Q1
Easy
If a charge of +5 µC experiences a force of 10 N in an electric field, what is the strength of the electric field?
A.
2 N/C
B.
5 N/C
C.
10 N/C
D.
50 N/C
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The strength of the electric field (E) can be calculated using the formula E = F/q. Here, F = 10 N and q = 5 x 10^-6 C. Thus, E = 10 N / (5 x 10^-6 C) = 2 x 10^6 N/C = 5 N/C
Q2
Easy
Which of the following statements about electric charge is TRUE?
A.
Like charges attract each other.
B.
Electric charge is conserved.
C.
Opposite charges repel each other.
D.
Charge can be created and destroyed.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Electric charge is a conserved quantity, meaning that the total charge in an isolated system remains constant. Options A and C are incorrect due to the nature of charge interactions and option D contradicts the conservation law.
Q3
Easy
What is the fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience electric force?
A.
Charge
B.
Mass
C.
Velocity
D.
Temperature
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Charge is the fundamental property that causes matter to experience electric force. Objects with like charges repel each other, while objects with opposite charges attract.
Q4
Medium
What is the electric field strength at a point that is 0.2 m away from a charge of +12 µC?
A.
1.5 x 10^5 N/C
B.
2.7 x 10^5 N/C
C.
3.6 x 10^5 N/C
D.
4.8 x 10^5 N/C
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The electric field E created by a point charge is given by E = k * |q| / r^2. Here, E = (8.99 x 10^9) * (12 x 10^-6) / (0.2)^2 = 2.7 x 10^5 N/C.
Q5
Medium
A charge of 2 µC experiences a force of 10 N in an electric field. What is the strength of the electric field?
A.
5 N/C
B.
2 N/C
C.
10 N/C
D.
20 N/C
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The strength of the electric field (E) is calculated using E = F/q. Here, E = 10 N / (2 x 10^-6 C) = 5 N/C.
Q6
Medium
Two point charges, +3 µC and +6 µC, are placed 0.5 m apart. What is the net force acting on the +3 µC charge?
A.
10.8 N
B.
3.6 N
C.
5.4 N
D.
2.25 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using Coulomb's Law, the force between the two charges is F = k * |q1 * q2| / r^2. Here, F = (8.99 x 10^9) * (3 x 10^-6) * (6 x 10^-6) / (0.5)^2 = 10.8 N.
Q7
Medium
If two equal charges of +4 µC are placed 0.3 m apart, what will be the potential energy of the system?
A.
0.12 J
B.
0.10 J
C.
0.09 J
D.
0.15 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The potential energy (U) between two charges is given by U = k * |q1 * q2| / r. Here, U = (8.99 x 10^9) * (4 x 10^-6) * (4 x 10^-6) / 0.3 = 0.12 J.
Q8
Hard
Two point charges, +3 µC and -5 µC, are placed 0.4 m apart in a vacuum. What is the magnitude of the net force acting on the positive charge due to the negative charge?
A.
1.35 N
B.
0.60 N
C.
0.90 N
D.
2.25 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using Coulomb's Law, the force between the charges can be calculated using F = k * |q1 * q2| / r^2. Here, k = 8.99 × 10^9 N m²/C², q1 = 3 × 10^-6 C, q2 = 5 × 10^-6 C, and r = 0.4 m. Thus, F = (8.99 × 10^9) * |3 × 10^-6 * -5 × 10^-6| / (0.4)^2 = 1.35 N.
Q9
Hard
A charged sphere of radius 0.1 m carries a total charge of +8 µC uniformly distributed across its surface. What is the electric field strength at a point located 0.2 m away from the center of the sphere?
A.
0.45 N/C
B.
0.36 N/C
C.
0.56 N/C
D.
0.08 N/C
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Outside a uniformly charged sphere, the electric field behaves as if all the charge were concentrated at the center. Thus, E = k * Q / r^2. Here, k = 8.99 × 10^9 N m²/C², Q = 8 × 10^-6 C, and r = 0.2 m. Therefore, E = (8.99 × 10^9 * 8 × 10^-6) / (0.2)^2 = 0.36 N/C.
Q10
Hard
Two point charges, +3 µC and -5 µC, are placed 0.5 m apart in a vacuum. Calculate the magnitude of the electric force acting on each charge. (Use Coulomb's law: F = k * |q1 * q2| / r², where k = 8.99 × 10^9 N·m²/C²)
A.
2.69 N
B.
1.80 N
C.
3.60 N
D.
4.45 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using Coulomb's law, the force is F = (8.99 × 10^9 N·m²/C² * |3 × 10^-6 C * -5 × 10^-6 C|) / (0.5 m)² = 2.69 N, confirming option A is correct.
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Electric Charge and Force — AP (Advanced Placement) AP Physics 1 Practice Questions Online
This page contains 149 practice MCQs for the chapter Electric Charge and Force in AP (Advanced Placement) AP Physics 1. The questions are organized by difficulty — 39 easy, 82 medium, 28 hard — so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.