Magnetic effect of a current: past paper questions

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• Question 27May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row gives the metal used to make the core of an electromagnet and one property of the electromagnet?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is used to identify the pattern and direction of the magnetic field due to the current in a straight wire?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagrams show a current-carrying wire with an arrow in the direction of the current.

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• Question 35May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four small compasses are placed close to a current-carrying solenoid. In which directions do the compass needles point?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a coil of insulated wire wrapped around a soft-iron rod. The wire is connected to a d.c. power supply as indicated.

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The direction of the current in a straight wire X is into the paper. Which diagram shows the shape of the magnetic field pattern around the wire?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a solenoid (long coil of wire) connected in a circuit. When the switch is closed, there is a large current in the circuit. Describe an experiment to identify the pattern and direction of the magnetic field around the solenoid.

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A vertical wire passes through a hole in a piece of card. A plotting compass is placed on the card. There is no current in the circuit.

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the magnetic field around a conductor which is carrying a current. Where is the strength of the field greatest?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Different materials have differing magnetic properties. State the name of a material that is suitable for a temporary magnet.

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the magnetic field due to a current in a solenoid. Which graph represents the strength of the magnetic field at positions X, Y and Z?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  When there is a current in a solenoid, a magnetic field is formed around it. How does the magnetic field change if the current is increased?

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• Question 32May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which device is the magnetic effect of a current not used?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a solenoid. Draw on Fig. 8.1 four complete magnetic field lines that show the pattern and direction of the magnetic field inside and outside the solenoid.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A solid bar is inside a copper solenoid. Fig. 7.1 shows that the copper solenoid is connected in series with a battery and a variable resistor. The device shown in Fig. 7.1 is an electromagnet.

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• Question 31May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Four appliances all use an electric current to operate. Which appliance uses the magnetic effect of the current?

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• Question 31May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagrams show a straight wire carrying a current directed into the page.

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• Question 33May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  There is a current of $3.0\text{ A}$ in a conductor. The current is changed to $6.0\text{ A}$ in the opposite direction. Which effect does this have on the magnetic field around the conductor?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 43Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 7.1 shows a barrier at the entrance to a car park. The wooden barrier arm has a weight of $60\text{ N}$ which acts through the centre of gravity at the position shown on Fig. 7.1. Initially the wooden barrier arm is horizontal.

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• Question 31May/June 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the pattern of the magnetic field due to the current $I$ in a straight wire. Which row is correct?

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• Question 31May/June 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  There is a current in a straight metal wire in the direction shown. Which row describes the direction and the pattern of the magnetic field due to the wire when looking from vertically above the wire?

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• Question 25May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A metal bar is placed inside a current-carrying coil, as shown in diagram 1. There is a small current in the coil. The bar holds a few nails, as shown in diagram 2.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 43Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher uses the arrangement shown in Figure 8.1 to demonstrate how an intruder alarm works. Switch S is connected to a door. When the door is open, switch S is open.

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• Question 32May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  When there is an electric current in a long straight wire, a magnetic field is created around the wire. Which diagram shows the correct pattern and direction of magnetic field lines around a long straight wire carrying current into the page?

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• Question 29May/June 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a solenoid carrying an electric current.

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 31Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows an arrangement for making an electromagnet. The electromagnet consists of a solenoid and a core. The electromagnet is a temporary magnet.

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• Question 29May/June 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the magnetic field around a solenoid carrying an electric current. What happens to the strength of the magnetic field and the distance between the field lines when the current is increased?

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