AQA GCSE Physics
AQA GCSE Physics 4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE Physics exam questions for 4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers magnetic poles, attraction and repulsion, permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields, field lines, compasses and the Earth's magnetic field.
4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields exam questions
2 question packs of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About AQA GCSE Physics 4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields
This AQA GCSE Physics section begins the Magnetism and Electromagnetism topic on Paper 2. You need to know how magnetic poles interact, the difference between permanent and induced magnets, and how to describe and draw the magnetic field around a bar magnet. You also need to describe how to plot a field using a compass and explain how compasses provide evidence that the Earth's core is magnetic. Examiners test field line diagrams, the definition of a magnetic field and the behaviour of induced magnets.
What you need to know
- Poles The poles of a magnet are the places where the magnetic forces are strongest. When two magnets are brought close together they exert a force on each other: like poles repel, unlike poles attract. Attraction and repulsion are non-contact forces.
- Permanent and induced magnets A permanent magnet produces its own magnetic field. An induced magnet is a material that becomes a magnet when it is placed in a magnetic field. Induced magnetism always causes a force of attraction, and the induced magnet loses most or all of its magnetism quickly when removed from the field.
- Magnetic materials Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic materials and are attracted to magnets.
- Magnetic field The region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic material is called the magnetic field. The force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always attraction.
- Field strength and direction The strength of the field depends on the distance from the magnet and is strongest at the poles. The direction of the field at any point is the direction of the force that would act on another north pole placed there, so field lines point from north to south.
- Plotting with a compass A magnetic compass contains a small bar magnet. Place the compass at several points around a magnet, mark the direction the needle points and join the marks to draw field lines.
- Earth's magnetic field The Earth has a magnetic field. A compass needle points in the direction of the Earth's magnetic field, which is evidence that the Earth's core is magnetic.
Common mistakes in 4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields
- Drawing field lines from south to north. Field lines go from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet.
- Drawing field lines that cross or touch. Field lines never cross.
- Saying an induced magnet can repel. Induced magnetism always causes attraction.
- Saying all metals are magnetic. Only iron, steel, cobalt and nickel (and their alloys) are magnetic at GCSE.
Try three 4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields exam-style questions
1. Describe the difference between a permanent magnet and an induced magnet. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A permanent magnet produces its own magnetic field; an induced magnet only becomes magnetic when placed in a magnetic field and loses most or all of its magnetism when removed.
2. Describe how to use a plotting compass to draw the magnetic field around a bar magnet. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Place the magnet on paper and put the compass near one pole; mark the direction the needle points; move the compass so its tail is at the last mark and mark again; repeat until reaching the other pole, join the marks with a line and add arrows from north to south; repeat from different starting points.
3. Explain why a compass is evidence that the Earth has a magnetic core. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A compass needle is a small magnet that aligns with a magnetic field; it points north wherever it is on Earth, showing the Earth has its own magnetic field (from its core).
4.7.1 Permanent and Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces and Fields FAQs
What does AQA GCSE Physics 4.7.1 cover?
It covers magnetic poles, permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields and field lines, plotting fields with a compass, and the Earth's magnetic field.
Which paper is magnetism on?
Magnetism and Electromagnetism is examined on AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2.
What diagram should I be able to draw?
The field around a bar magnet, with curved lines from north to south, arrows on every line, lines closer together near the poles and no lines crossing.
