1

1 The diagram shows a relay.

Circuit A contains a switch that operates the motor in circuit B when it is closed.

The soft-iron armature is replaced with a steel armature. The switch in circuit A is closed.

Explain what happens when the switch in circuit A is then opened.

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[Total: 2]

2 Describe one method for demagnetising a bar magnet.

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[Total: 2]
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3 A student wants to demagnetise a permanent bar magnet. She suggests these steps.

1. Place the magnet in a long coil.

2. Switch on a large alternating current in the coil.

3. Switch off the current.

4. Remove the bar from the coil.

State and explain whether the steps will always be able to demagnetise the magnet.

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[Total: 3]

4 The diagram shows an electric door lock.

The slot in the door contains an unmagnetised iron bolt attached to a spring.
The slot in the door frame is empty. This slot is surrounded by the coils of a solenoid.

In the diagram the door is unlocked. The spring is not stretched.

In the following diagram the door is locked. The spring is now stretched.
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The bolt is initially in the position shown in the first diagram.

Describe and explain what happens when

(a) the switch S is closed,

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(b) the switch S is reopened.

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[Total: 6]

5 A physics teacher suspends two pointers in a magnetic field. One pointer is made of brass and the
other is a magnet.

She holds the pointers in the initial positions shown in the two upper circles of the figure. She then
releases the pointers.
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brass pointer
N pole of S pole of
magnet magnet

S
arrows show
direction of
strong
magnetic
field

draw final position of brass draw final position of

pointer in this circle magnet in this circle

(a) In the lower circles of the figure, draw the settled final positions of the two pointers. [2]

(b) Suggest a material from which the magnet is made.

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[Total: 3]

6 The diagram shows the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet.

(a) Describe an experiment to identify the pattern and direction of magnetic field lines around a
bar magnet as shown in the diagram.

You may add to the diagram as part of your answer.

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(b) State a material that can be used to make a permanent bar magnet.

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[Total: 4]

7 A student has a permanent bar magnet and two metal bars, as shown in the diagram.

The student tests bar PQ and bar RS separately. He holds the N pole of the permanent bar magnet
close to each end of each metal bar. The table shows the results of the tests.

result of test with

end of metal bar
N pole

P attracted

Q repelled

R attracted

S attracted

Deduce whether each metal bar is a magnet, an unmagnetised magnetic material or a non-magnetic
material.

Give a reason for each of your answers.

1. metal bar PQ.........................................................................................................................

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2. metal bar RS.........................................................................................................................

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[Total: 4]

8 A clamp and stand hold a soft-iron bar above a bench. A coil of wire is wrapped round the soft-iron
bar. The coil of wire is part of an electric circuit. The diagram shows the arrangement.

Switch S is closed. A student holds a soft-iron disc close to the bar and releases the disc. The disc
becomes attached to the bar as shown in the diagram.

Explain why the soft-iron disc is attracted to the soft-iron bar.

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[Total: 3]

9 A permanent magnet is made from only one material.

Underline the material from which it is possible to make a permanent magnet.

aluminium copper soft iron mercury plastic steel uranium

[1]

[Total: 1]

10 The diagram shows a bar magnet and four plotting compasses, A, B, C and D.
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(a) On the diagram draw an arrow on each of the three plotting compasses, B, C and D, to show
the direction of the magnetic field. [2]

(b) On the diagram label the magnetic poles of the bar magnet N and S. [1]

[Total: 3]

11 The diagram shows a soft-iron bar placed close to a permanent magnet.

State and explain what happens to the soft-iron bar. You may draw on the diagram.

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[Total: 3]
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12 Some students plot the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet. They have the apparatus shown
in the diagram and a large sheet of paper.

Describe how the students use the apparatus in the diagram to show the pattern of the magnetic
field lines around the bar magnet.

You may draw a diagram to assist with your description.

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[Total: 3]
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13 Draw at least four lines above and below the bar magnet in the diagram to show the magnetic field
around the bar magnet.

Draw an arrow on the field lines to show the direction of the magnetic field.

[3]

[Total: 3]

14 An electromagnet consists of a solenoid that is made of copper wire. The solenoid contains an iron
core.

Explain why iron is a suitable material for the core of an electromagnet.

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[Total: 2]

15 The diagram shows an arrangement for making an electromagnet.

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(a) State a material which is suitable for the core of the electromagnet.

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(b) State the name for component X in the diagram.

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(c) Describe and explain how component X varies the strength of the electromagnet.

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[Total: 4]
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16 Describe how to make an electromagnet. You may draw a labelled diagram to help your answer.

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[Total: 3]

17 Two metal rods are thought to be permanent magnets. Describe the test you would carry out to
confirm that both rods are permanent magnets.

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[Total: 2]

18 A student makes an electromagnet. He places an iron rod inside a coil of wire and connects the
coil to a d.c. power supply, as shown in the diagram.
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(a) The switch is closed so there is a current in the coil. The S pole of a bar magnet is placed near
to each end of the iron rod in turn.
Suggest what happens at each end of the iron rod and give a reason for your predictions.

predictions.........................................................................................................................

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reason ...............................................................................................................................

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(b) The student removes the iron rod from the coil. The student places a steel rod inside the coil.
He closes the switch and the steel rod becomes a magnet. He then opens the switch.

The student removes the steel rod and moves it close to the iron rod.

Describe and explain what happens as the two rods are moved close together.

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[Total: 4]

19 Two bar magnets are placed next to each other as shown in the diagram.

magnet A magnet B

Magnet A is slowly moved towards magnet B. This causes magnet B to move away from
magnet A.

(a) On the diagram, suggest the poles of each bar magnet.

Label N and S on each of the magnets. [1]

(b) State the term used to describe the direction of the forces acting between magnet A and
magnet B.

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(c) Magnet B is removed and replaced with a steel bar of the same size.

Describe what happens when magnet A is slowly moved towards the steel bar.

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[Total: 3]

20 A small bar of unmagnetised iron is placed next to a bar magnet, as shown in the diagram.

The iron bar moves towards the magnet.

Explain why the iron bar moves.

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[Total: 2]
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21 The diagram shows a relay.

The relay includes the part labelled C, which is made from a metal.

State the name of the metal and explain why this metal is used in the electromagnet of the relay.

metal ........................................................................................................................................

explanation ...............................................................................................................................

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[Total: 2]

22 A student places a soft iron rod inside a coil of insulated wire. The coil is connected to a battery,
as shown in the diagram.

(a) State the name given to the device shown in the diagram.

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(b) The student puts one end of the device, shown in the diagram, just above a pile of iron filings.

He closes the switch for a short time and then opens it again.

Describe the effect this has on the iron filings.

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(c) The student removes the soft iron rod and replaces it with a steel rod.

He puts one end of the steel rod just above the pile of iron filings. He closes the switch for a
short time and then opens it again.

Describe the effect this has on the iron filings.

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[Total: 3]

23 The diagram shows a sheet of paper. A bar magnet is underneath the paper. A student sprinkles
iron filings onto the paper.

On the diagram:

• Label the position of each pole of the magnet. Use the label N for the north pole and S for the
south pole.
• Draw one magnetic field line above the magnet and draw one magnetic field line below the
magnet.
• Add one arrow to show the direction of the magnetic field.

[4]

[Total: 4]
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24 The diagram shows the circuit for an electric bell.

Explain how the circuit causes the hammer to hit the bell repeatedly when the switch is closed.

Use your ideas about circuits and electromagnets.

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[Total: 5]
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25 The diagram shows a permanent bar magnet next to a circuit that contains a coil and a galvanometer.

Suggest a metal from which the magnet is made.

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[Total: 1]

26 A student magnetises a steel rod by using a permanent magnet.

Describe a method that the student could use. You may draw a diagram to help you.

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[Total: 2]

27 Explain how a student could test that a steel rod is magnetised.

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[Total: 2]

28 An old and expensive steel watch becomes magnetised.

The owner wants to use the watch again. He must demagnetise the watch.

What is the best method to do this?

A Insert the watch in a solenoid that carries alternating current and then slowly remove it.
B Insert the watch in a solenoid that carries direct current and then slowly remove it.
C Pass alternating current through the watch.
D Pass direct current through the watch.
[1]

[Total: 1]

29 The diagram shows a circuit that is used to make a permanent magnet.

(a) (i) On the diagram, label the variable resistor with the letter X.

[1]

(ii) Describe how the circuit is used to make a permanent magnet.

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(b) The diagram shows the coil from the circuit.

On the diagram carefully sketch the pattern of the magnetic field produced by the coil.

[2]

[Total: 6]

30 A magnet near a coil of wire is attracted to the coil only when there is a current in the coil.

Which statement explains this force of attraction?

A The coil of wire has its own gravitational field.

B The coil of wire is made from soft iron.
C The current in the coil of wire creates a magnetic field.
D The current in the coil of wire induces a charge on the magnet.
[1]

[Total: 1]

31 A student demagnetises a magnetised steel bar.

He places the bar in a solenoid connected to a power supply. He then removes the bar from the
solenoid.

Which row indicates the most effective way of demagnetising the bar?

type of speed to
power supply remove bar

A a.c. fast
B a.c. slow
C d.c. fast
D d.c. slow

[1]

[Total: 1]
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32 A steel magnet is placed in a coil and demagnetised.

Which type of current is established in the coil, and how is the current changed?

A a direct current in the coil, then reduce the current quickly to zero
B a direct current in the coil, then reduce the current slowly to zero
C an alternating current in the coil, then reduce the current quickly to zero
D an alternating current in the coil, then reduce the current slowly to zero
[1]

[Total: 1]

33 What is the most effective method of demagnetising a bar magnet?

A placing the magnet in a solenoid carrying a large alternating current and gradually decreasing
the current
B placing the magnet in a solenoid carrying a large direct current and gradually decreasing
the current
C placing the magnet in a solenoid that produces a magnetic field in the opposite direction to
the magnet
D placing the magnet next to an identical bar magnet with its poles in the opposite direction
[1]

[Total: 1]

34 The diagram shows a demonstration with magnets.

The strong magnet has a pole on its top surface and a pole on its bottom surface. The strong
magnet is placed above a small magnet that is connected to a bench by a string.

(a) Explain why the small magnet is in the position shown in the diagram.

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(b) The strong magnet is turned so that the opposite surface is now facing the small magnet.
State and explain what happens, if anything.

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[Total: 3]

35 Describe a method for demagnetising a bar magnet.

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[Total: 2]

36 A bar magnet can be demagnetised by hammering it for a long time or by slowly removing it from
a coil connected to a power supply.

Which row completes the descriptions of how these processes are carried out?

hammering bar magnet slowly removing bar magnet

for a long time with from a coil connected to

A magnet aligned E-W a d.c. power supply

B magnet aligned E-W an a.c. power supply
C magnet aligned N-S a d.c. power supply
D magnet aligned N-S an a.c. power supply

[1]

[Total: 1]
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37 The figure shows an experiment to identify the pattern and direction of field lines around a bar
magnet.

paper

A
N magnet S C

The bar magnet is placed on a sheet of paper. A plotting compass is placed in each of the four
positions labelled A, B, C and D.

The plotting compass is a small pivoted magnet, as shown in the figure below.

plotting
compass

S N

pivot
pointer

On the first figure, carefully draw two complete magnetic field lines, one through position B and the
other through position D. The lines you draw should start and finish on the bar magnet. [1]

[Total: 1]
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38 The figure shows an experiment to identify the pattern and direction of field lines around a bar
magnet.

paper

A
N magnet S C

The bar magnet is placed on a sheet of paper. A plotting compass is placed in each of the four
positions labelled A, B, C and D.

The plotting compass is a small pivoted magnet, as shown in the figure below.

plotting
compass

S N

pivot
pointer

In each of positions A, B, C and D on the first figure, carefully draw an arrow showing the position
of the pointer. Ignore the magnetic field due to the surroundings. [3]

[Total: 3]
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39 A student has two powerful bar magnets and an iron rod.

The student uses the N pole of one magnet and the S pole of the other magnet. Starting from the
centre of the iron rod he rubs the poles against the rod out to its ends. He repeats this many times.

The figure shows how the student uses the two magnets to make the iron rod into a magnet.

N
S

S
N

iron rod

Describe how a permanent magnet can be demagnetised.

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[Total: 2]

40 A student has two powerful bar magnets and an iron rod.

The student uses the N pole of one magnet and the S pole of the other magnet. Starting from the
centre of the iron rod he rubs the poles against the rod out to its ends. He repeats this many times.

The figure shows how the student uses the two magnets to make the iron rod into a magnet.

N
S

S
N

iron rod

Describe how to test whether the iron rod has become a magnet.

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[Total: 1]