Electrostatics is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 Technical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. An object has an equal number of protons and electrons. What is its net charge?
Zero (it is neutral)
Positive
Negative
It depends on the object's mass
Answer: Zero (it is neutral) — An object with an equal number of electrons and protons is neutral, meaning it has no net charge.
Easy
2. Which equation correctly represents Coulomb's Law?
F = kQ1Q2/r^2
F = kQ1Q2/r
F = k(Q1+Q2)/r^2
F = kQ1Q2 x r^2
Answer: F = kQ1Q2/r^2 — Coulomb's Law is expressed as F = kQ1Q2/r^2, where F is the force, k is the Coulomb constant, Q1 and Q2 are the charges, and r is the distance between them.
Medium
3. Give ONE term describing an object that has lost electrons, leaving more protons than electrons.
Answer: positively charged — A positively charged object is electron deficient, meaning it has lost electrons, leaving more protons than electrons.
