Simple magnetism and magnetic fields
4.1What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe the forces between magnetic poles and between magnets and magnetic materials, including the use of the terms north pole (N pole), south pole (S pole), attraction and repulsion, magnetised and unmagnetised
- Describe induced magnetism
- State the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials
- State the differences between the properties of temporary magnets (made of soft iron) and the properties of permanent magnets (made of steel)
- Describe a magnetic field as a region in which a magnetic pole experiences a force
- Describe the plotting of magnetic field lines with a compass or iron filings and the use of a compass to determine the direction of the magnetic field
- Draw the pattern and direction of the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet
- State that the direction of the magnetic field at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that point
- Know that the relative strength of a magnetic field is represented by the spacing of the magnetic field lines
- Describe uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Simple magnetism and magnetic fields
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Every question on Simple magnetism and magnetic fields, untimed, marked as you go.
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34 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Anorth south
Bnorth none
Csouth north
Dsouth none
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Abar 1: copper, bar 2: iron
Bbar 1: iron, bar 2: steel
Cbar 1: steel, bar 2: copper
Dbar 1: steel, bar 2: iron
Mark scheme
3May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Adirection of arrows: north pole to south pole, spacing of lines: closer where field is stronger
Bdirection of arrows: south pole to north pole, spacing of lines: closer where field is stronger
Cdirection of arrows: north pole to south pole, spacing of lines: closer where field is weaker
Ddirection of arrows: south pole to north pole, spacing of lines: closer where field is weaker
Mark scheme
4Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Apole at W: N, pole at Z: N
Bpole at W: N, pole at Z: S
Cpole at W: S, pole at Z: N
Dpole at W: S, pole at Z: S
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q32Also set in Oct / Nov 2019 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AS N
BN N
CN S
DS S
Mark scheme
6May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q33Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
7Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q24Show mark scheme →
Amagnet
Biron bar
Cswitch open
Dswitch open
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q25Show mark scheme →
Aaluminium / copper
Bcopper / steel
Ciron / copper
Dsteel / iron
Mark scheme
9Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q26Show mark scheme →
AIt turns through 90° clockwise and then stops moving.
BIt turns through 90° anticlockwise and then stops moving.
CIt turns through 90° clockwise and moves towards U.
DIt turns through 90° anticlockwise and moves towards V.
Mark scheme
10May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
AThe needle is an induced magnet and X is a north magnetic pole.
BThe needle is an induced magnet and X is a south magnetic pole.
CThe needle is a permanent magnet and X is a north magnetic pole.
DThe needle is a permanent magnet and X is a south magnetic pole.
Mark scheme
11Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q32Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2
B1 and 4
C2 and 3
D3 and 4
Mark scheme
12May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q25Also set in May / June 2020 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AS N | iron
BS N | copper
CN S / S N
DS N | N S
Mark scheme
13May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
14May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q24Also set in May / June 2017 Paper 11, May / June 2017 Paper 12Show mark scheme →
AIt attracts both ends of a compass needle.
BIt attracts one end of another magnet.
CIt conducts electricity.
DIt repels one end of another magnet.
Mark scheme
15May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q25Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
16Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Apiece of iron: attracted; S pole: attracted; piece of copper: not attracted
Bpiece of iron: not attracted; S pole: attracted; piece of copper: not attracted
Cpiece of iron: not attracted; S pole: attracted; piece of copper: attracted
Dpiece of iron: not attracted; S pole: not attracted; piece of copper: attracted
Mark scheme
17Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q30Also set in Oct / Nov 2022 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
18May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
Aaluminium
Bcopper
Ciron
Dsteel
Mark scheme
19Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
AX and Y are both made of iron.
BX and Y are both magnets.
CY is a magnet and X is made of iron.
DY is made of iron and X is a magnet.
Mark scheme
20Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q28Show mark scheme →
A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme
21Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Acompass needle pointing left with N on the right
Bcompass needle pointing right with N on the left
Ccompass needle pointing up with N at the top
Dcompass needle pointing down with N at the bottom
Mark scheme
22May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q30Also set in May / June 2021 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AIt is made of copper that is not initially magnetised.
BIt is made of copper with a South pole at X.
CIt is made of steel that is not initially magnetised.
DIt is made of steel with a North pole at X.
Mark scheme
23Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
Aelectromagnetic generation
Belectromagnetic induction
Celectrostatic induction
Dmagnetic induction
Mark scheme
24Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q29Show mark scheme →
AP: N Q: N
BP: N Q: S
CP: S Q: N
DP: S Q: S
Mark scheme
25May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q28Show mark scheme →
AEach paper clip has a S-pole at the top and a N-pole at the bottom when suspended from the permanent magnet.
BIf the paper clips are made of soft iron they become demagnetised when the permanent magnet is removed.
CIf the paper clips are made of steel they become demagnetised when the permanent magnet is removed.
DMore paper clips can be suspended from the N-pole.
Mark scheme
26May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q31Show mark scheme →
Abar 1: copper, bar 2: iron
Bbar 1: iron, bar 2: steel
Cbar 1: steel, bar 2: copper
Dbar 1: steel, bar 2: iron
Mark scheme
27Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q28Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
28Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
AX: N-pole, Y: N-pole
BX: N-pole, Y: S-pole
CX: S-pole, Y: N-pole
DX: S-pole, Y: S-pole
Mark scheme
29Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
AIt channels the magnetic field around the shield until it emerges on the right-hand side.
BIts left-hand side absorbs the magnetic field.
CIts left-hand side reflects the magnetic field.
DIts left-hand side scatters the magnetic field in all directions.
Mark scheme
30Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q26Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
31May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q31Show mark scheme →
Aplacing the magnet inside a coil connected to a d.c. supply
Bplacing the magnet inside a coil connected to an a.c. supply
Cwithdrawing the magnet from inside a coil connected to a d.c. supply
Dwithdrawing the magnet from inside a coil connected to an a.c. supply
Mark scheme
32May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q32Also set in May / June 2017 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Aaluminium
Biron
Crubber
Dsteel
Mark scheme
33Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q31Also set in Oct / Nov 2016 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AAluminium is used because it is a non-magnetic material.
BCopper is used because it has a low electrical resistance.
CPolythene is used because it is a good electrical insulator.
DSoft iron is used because it is a magnetic material.
Mark scheme
34May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q23Also set in May / June 2016 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme