Simple phenomena of magnetism: past paper questions

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• Question 26May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two metal rods each have a painted end. The painted ends are placed next to the N pole and S pole of a bar magnet in turn. The rods are made from iron, aluminium or magnetised steel.

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which metal could be used for a permanent magnet and which metal could be used for the core of an electromagnet?

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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 26Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Soft iron and steel are magnetic materials. What are permanent magnets and temporary magnets made of?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows what happens when a bar PQ is brought near to a permanent magnet which is standing on a balance. What could bar PQ be?

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• Question 27May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is not an example of induced magnetism being used?

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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 24Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows three small compasses near to a bar magnet. Which compasses show the direction of the magnetic field due to the bar magnet?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which metal can be attracted by a magnet?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows part of the magnetic field around two magnets. Which list gives the order of magnetic field strengths at the positions P, Q and R, from weakest to strongest?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows part of the magnetic field around a strong magnet. In which position does a magnetic pole experience the strongest force?

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• Question 25May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  What is meant by induced magnetism?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statements about magnets are correct?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the magnetic field of a bar magnet. How does the strength of the magnetic field vary with position along the dotted path PRQ?

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• Question 25May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows the magnetic field around a bar magnet?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student has six metal bars. The bars are all the same size. Four of the bars are magnets, one is a bar of unmagnetised steel and the other is a bar of copper metal.

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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 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  State what is meant by a magnetic field.

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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 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 25May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows the pattern and direction of the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet?

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• Question 25May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row describes the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel?

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• Question 24May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows the pattern and the direction of the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet?

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• Question 23May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An unmagnetised piece of soft iron is placed close to a strong permanent magnet, as shown. What is the induced polarity of end X of the soft iron and in which direction does the magnetic force act on the soft iron?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 41Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Three plotting compasses are placed in the magnetic field of a bar magnet. The circles in Figure 4.1 show the positions of the plotting compasses.

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• Question 29May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes a magnetic field?

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• Question 24May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Small compasses are used to determine the direction of a magnetic field.

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• Question 23May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The magnetic field of a bar magnet can be represented by magnetic field lines. Which diagram shows two magnetic field lines correctly?

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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 24May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows part of the magnetic field between two bar magnets. Which statement about the ends of the magnets is correct?

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