Eduqas GCSE Physics
Eduqas GCSE Physics 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism Exam Questions
Free Eduqas GCSE Physics revision for 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism: what you need to know, common mistakes and exam-style questions with answers. Covers permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields, solenoids, the motor effect, F = BIl, electromagnetic induction, generators, transformers, microphones and loudspeakers.
Practise 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism with past papers
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About Eduqas GCSE Physics 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Magnetism and electromagnetism in Eduqas GCSE Physics has four parts: permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields; magnetic effects of currents and the motor effect; induced potential and transformers; and microphones and speakers. You learn field patterns, how a current produces a magnetic field around a wire or solenoid, Fleming's left-hand rule and F = BIl, then electromagnetic induction in alternators, dynamos and transformers. You finish with how microphones and loudspeakers convert between sound and electrical signals. Examiners often ask for transformer and F = BIl calculations and explanations of induction. SP8.2 and SP8.3 belong to this topic.
What you need to know
- 8.1 Magnets and fields Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Field lines go from north to south and are closest where the field is strongest. Induced magnets become magnetic only in a field. A compass shows the Earth has a magnetic field.
- 8.2 Fields from currents A current in a wire produces circular field lines around it. A solenoid produces a field like a bar magnet; adding an iron core makes an electromagnet stronger.
- 8.2 Motor effect A current-carrying wire at right angles to a magnetic field experiences a force F = BIl (given), with B in tesla. Fleming's left-hand rule gives the direction. Electric motors use this to make a coil rotate. SP8.2: investigate the force due to the magnetic field of coils.
- 8.3 Induction A p.d. is induced when a conductor moves relative to a magnetic field or the field changes. Alternators produce a.c. and dynamos produce d.c. The induced p.d. increases with a stronger field, faster movement or more turns.
- 8.3 Transformers Transformers have primary and secondary coils on an iron core and only work with a.c. V1/V2 = N1/N2 and, for a 100% efficient transformer, V1I1 = V2I2 (both given). SP8.3: investigate the output of an iron-cored transformer.
- 8.4 Microphones and speakers A microphone uses induction: sound waves move a diaphragm and coil in a magnetic field, inducing a varying current. A loudspeaker uses the motor effect: a varying current in a coil in a magnetic field makes the cone vibrate and produce sound.
Common mistakes in 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Saying transformers work with d.c. They need a.c. so the magnetic field in the core keeps changing, inducing a p.d. in the secondary coil.
- Getting the field direction wrong. Field lines run from north to south outside a magnet.
- Using Fleming's right hand for the motor effect. Use the left hand: first finger field, second finger current, thumb motion.
- Saying a step-up transformer increases power. It increases voltage but decreases current; power out cannot exceed power in.
- Mixing up microphones and loudspeakers. A microphone uses induction (sound to current); a loudspeaker uses the motor effect (current to sound).
Try three 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism exam-style questions
1. A transformer has 1000 turns on the primary coil and 50 turns on the secondary coil. The input is 230 V. Calculate the output voltage. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
V2 = V1 x N2 / N1 = 230 x 50 / 1000; = 11.5 V.
2. A wire of length 0.050 m carries a current of 3.0 A at right angles to a magnetic field of 0.20 T. Calculate the force on the wire. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
F = BIl = 0.20 x 3.0 x 0.050; = 0.030 N.
3. State three ways to increase the p.d. induced when a magnet is moved into a coil. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Move the magnet faster; use a stronger magnet; increase the number of turns on the coil.
8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism FAQs
What does Eduqas GCSE Physics 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism cover?
It covers permanent and induced magnets and fields, the magnetic effect of currents, the motor effect and F = BIl, electromagnetic induction, generators, transformers, microphones and loudspeakers.
Which paper is 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism examined in?
It is examined in Component 1: Concepts in Physics (2 hours 15 minutes, 120 marks). Component 2: Applications in Physics can also test it through practical contexts and an unseen article.
How do I use Fleming's left-hand rule in Eduqas GCSE Physics 8 Magnetism and Electromagnetism?
Hold the thumb, first finger and second finger of your left hand at right angles. Point the first finger along the field (north to south) and the second finger along the current (positive to negative); the thumb gives the direction of the force.
