OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway)
OCR GCSE Physics A P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields Exam Questions
Free OCR GCSE Physics A exam questions for P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers permanent and induced magnets, magnetic field lines, plotting fields, the Earth's magnetic field, fields around wires, solenoids and electromagnets.
P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields exam questions
1 question pack 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 OCR GCSE Physics A P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields
P4.1 opens the P4 Magnetism and magnetic fields chapter of OCR Gateway Physics A. It covers the attraction and repulsion between magnetic poles, the difference between permanent and induced magnets, and how to plot and draw magnetic field lines using a compass. The topic then shows that a current in a wire produces a magnetic field, describes the field pattern around a straight wire and a solenoid, and explains how an iron core makes a solenoid into a strong electromagnet. It leads directly into P4.2 Uses of magnetism. Examiners like field diagrams and explanations of how to make electromagnets stronger.
What you need to know
- Magnetic poles Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. The forces are strongest at the poles of a magnet.
- Permanent and induced magnets A permanent magnet produces its own field. An induced magnet becomes magnetic when placed in a field and loses most of its magnetism when removed. Induced magnetism always causes attraction.
- Field lines Field lines go from the north pole to the south pole. They are closest together where the field is strongest. Use a plotting compass to trace them.
- Earth's field A compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, which is evidence that the Earth's core is magnetic.
- Field around a wire A current in a straight wire produces circular field lines around it. The field is stronger with a larger current and closer to the wire, and its direction reverses if the current reverses.
- Solenoids and electromagnets A solenoid's field is like a bar magnet outside and strong and uniform inside. An iron core, more turns or larger current increases the field strength.
Common mistakes in P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields
- Drawing field lines that cross or that go south to north outside a magnet.
- Saying all metals are magnetic. Only iron, nickel, cobalt and steel (and some alloys) are.
- Saying induced magnets can repel. Induced magnetism always causes attraction.
- Forgetting that the field around a straight wire is circular, not radial.
- Saying an electromagnet stays magnetised when switched off. With a soft iron core it loses its magnetism when the current stops.
Try three P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields exam-style questions
1. Describe how to use a plotting compass to draw the magnetic field around a bar magnet. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Place the compass near one pole and mark the direction the needle points; move the compass so its tail is at the last mark and repeat; join the marks into a line and repeat from different starting points.
2. State three ways to make an electromagnet stronger. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Increase the current; increase the number of turns; add a soft iron core.
3. Explain 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 all the time; an induced magnet only becomes magnetic when placed in a magnetic field.
P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields FAQs
What does OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) P4.1 Magnets and Magnetic Fields cover?
It covers magnetic poles, permanent and induced magnets, field lines, the Earth's magnetic field, fields around wires and solenoids, and electromagnets.
Which paper is P4.1 examined on?
Topics P1 to P4 are assessed on Paper 1 (Foundation) or Paper 3 (Higher), alongside practical skills.
Which diagrams should I practise for Magnets and Magnetic Fields?
Practise the field around a bar magnet, between two attracting and two repelling poles, around a straight wire and around a solenoid, with arrows in the correct direction.
