4.1 Magnetism - Exam Practice
Test your knowledge of magnetic materials, field patterns, induction, and electromagnets
⚠️ Exam Strategy
- Material Trap: Only Fe, Ni, Co, Steel are magnetic. Aluminium/Copper are NOT.
- Field Direction: Always N → S outside the magnet. Memorize this.
- Induced Magnetism: Opposite pole forms → ALWAYS attracts, never repels.
- Soft vs Hard: Soft iron = temporary (electromagnets). Steel = permanent.
- Field Strength: Line density = strength. Poles = strongest (lines closest).
Paper 2: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
A student has four metal rods: steel, aluminium, copper, and nickel. Which metal will NOT be attracted to a strong magnet?
The diagram shows the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet. Which arrow correctly shows the direction of the magnetic field at point X?
An unmagnetized iron bar is brought near the North pole of a permanent magnet. What happens?
A student wants to make an electromagnet that can be rapidly switched on and off. Which material should be used for the core?
The diagram shows magnetic field lines around a bar magnet. Where is the magnetic field STRONGEST?
Paper 4: Structured Theory Questions
Question 1 (7 marks)
A student investigates the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet using a plotting compass.
(a) [3 marks] Describe the method the student should use to plot the magnetic field lines.
(b) [2 marks] The student notices the compass needle reverses direction when moved from one end of the field line to the other. Explain why this happens.
(c) [2 marks] State TWO ways the student could increase the strength of the magnetic field without changing the magnet.
Question 2 (8 marks)
A factory uses electromagnets to separate steel cans from aluminium cans in a recycling plant.
(a) [3 marks] Explain how an electromagnet can be used to separate steel cans from aluminium cans.
(b) [2 marks] Explain why soft iron is used as the core of the electromagnet rather than steel.
(c) [3 marks] The electromagnet consists of a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core. State THREE ways to increase the strength of the electromagnet.
Paper 6: Alternative to Practical
Practical Question (8 marks)
A student uses the apparatus shown to investigate how the number of paper clips a magnet can hold changes with distance.
(a) [1 marks] State the independent variable in this investigation.
(b) [1 marks] State the dependent variable in this investigation.
(c) [2 marks] State TWO variables that should be kept constant (controlled) to make this a fair test.
(d) [2 marks] Describe the pattern shown in the results table.
(e) [2 marks] The student repeats the experiment and gets different values. Suggest TWO reasons why the results might differ.
🎯 Exam Success Tips
Paper 2 (MCQ) Strategy:
- • Eliminate obviously wrong options first
- • Watch for "non-magnetic" vs "magnetic" traps
- • Field direction: Always N → S outside magnet
- • Induced magnetism ALWAYS attracts
Paper 4 Strategy:
- • Use mark scheme keywords in your answer
- • Explain using physics principles, not just describing
- • Link cause and effect clearly
- • Check mark allocation matches detail level
Paper 6 Strategy:
- • Independent variable = what YOU change
- • Dependent variable = what you MEASURE
- • Control variables = keep CONSTANT for fair test
- • Describe patterns with data evidence
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- • Thinking all metals are magnetic
- • Confusing steel (hard) with soft iron
- • Wrong field line direction
- • Forgetting induced magnetism attracts
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