PAPER 4 PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

5054/04/M/J/03
2 A bar magnet is placed on a sheet of plain paper and the magnetic field lines of the bar magnet
are located using a plotting compass, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

Fig.2.1
(a) Magnetic field lines are from the N pole to the S pole. The dots in Fig. 2.1 represent the
positions of the pivot of the plotting compass as the compass is moved along a field line. The
compass is at the point A.
Explain how you would complete the field line from the point A to the S pole. You should say
how you would use the compass to help you mark the paper and how you would proceed
from one dot to the next dot. You may draw a diagram if you wish.
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(b) The plotting compass is a small magnet that is pivoted between two glass plates. The
compass is illustrated in Fig. 2.2. It is quite small. Its diameter is about 12 mm and its height
about 6 mm.

Fig.2.2
(i) The glass plates are held together by two plastic rings. Why is steel an unsuitable
material to use for the rings?
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(ii) Give one reason why the compass should be small.

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MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Magnetism 1
 (iii) The pivot rests in two indentations, as shown in Fig. 2.2.
Suggest a reason for this arrangement.
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5054/04/M/J/06
2 Two students perform an investigation into how the strength of an electromagnet depends on the
number of coils of wire.
Fig. 2.1 shows the apparatus used.

Fig.2.1

(a) Suggest a suitable material for the core of the electromagnet.

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(b) Outline one way of using the apparatus to estimate the strength of the electromagnet.
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(c) The students have different plans.

Student A uses the same long piece of wire for the coils every time, and increases the
number of coils by winding more of the wire round the core.
Student B cuts several wires of different lengths and uses a longer piece of wire to increase
the number of coils.
State and explain which is the better plan.
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MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Magnetism 2

5054/04/O/N/07
2 Fig. 2.1 shows a long vertical wire passing through a horizontal white card. The apparatus is
used to show the shape of the magnetic field around the wire.

(a) Complete Fig. 2.1 to show a circuit that provides a current in the wire. The circuit should
allow the current to be varied and measured. [2]

(b) The student sprinkles iron filings on the card to show the shape of the magnetic field.
Give a reason for each of the following.

(i) The current needs to be large.

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(ii) The student must tap the card.

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(iii) The student uses small iron filings.

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5054/04/O/N/10
4 A student is given two identical steel bar magnets A and B, as shown in Fig. 4.1. The student
is asked to determine which magnet is the stronger.

Fig.4.1
The student is given a list of apparatus available for use in the experiment.

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Magnetism 3

 (a) Describe how to determine which magnet is the stronger.
You should include a diagram to show how your apparatus is used.
Apparatus chosen: ...........................................................................................................
Diagram:

Explanation:
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(b) The student finds an iron bar that looks identical to the magnets. The magnets and the
bar become mixed up.
Describe how the student, using only the magnets and iron bar, could determine which
of the three is the iron bar.

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5054/04/O/N/11
2 A teacher demonstrates the force on a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field.
Fig. 2.1 shows some of the apparatus used.

Fig.2.1

MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Magnetism 4

 (a) The current is to be varied and measured.
(i) On Fig. 2.1, draw the circuit diagram of the circuit used to provide the current.
Include a method to vary and measure the current. [2]

(ii) Describe how to increase the current in the wire.

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(iii) Describe how to reverse the direction of the current in the wire.
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(iv) Describe how to reverse the direction of the magnetic field.

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(b) The current is increased to a very large value.

Suggest one problem this may cause.
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MS / Sh.M / FT12 / Gr 10 / physics / Practical questions / Magnetism 5