4th Form Electromagnetism

4th Form Electromagnetism

1. (a) State the law of attraction and repulsion between magnetic poles.

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[2]

(b) The diagram shows two magnets suspended close to each other.

cotton cotton
threads threads

N S X

Name the type of magnetic pole found at X.

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[1]

(c) The diagram shows a suspended magnet and an unmagnetised metal bar.
The unmagnetised metal bar is attracted to the magnet.

cotton cotton
threads threads

magnet unmagnetised
metal bar

Suggest a metal from which the bar could be made.

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[1]
 4th Form Electromagnetism

(d) The diagram shows a coil of wire. A current is flowing through the coil and a magnetic field is
formed round the coil.

Describe two ways of increasing the strength of the magnetic field, using the same coil.

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2 .......................................................................................................................
[2]

(e) The diagram shows a circuit breaker.

A circuit breaker is used, instead of a fuse, to protect an electrical circuit. If the current flowing gets
too big the circuit breaker breaks the circuit.

Explain how the circuit breaker works.

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[4]
Total 10 marks
 4th Form Electromagnetism

2. (a) The diagram shows a bar magnet suspended by a thread.

The magnet is given a slight push so that it begins to turn.

Explain what will happen next.

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[3]

(b) Another magnet is now moved close to the suspended magnet as shown in the diagram.

Explain what will happen next.

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[2]
 4th Form Electromagnetism

(c) A bar magnet is moved towards some steel drawing pins.

Explain what will happen next.

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[2]

(d) A fault in an electrical circuit can cause too great a current to flow.
Some circuits are switched off by a circuit breaker.

One type of circuit breaker is shown above. A normal current is flowing.

Explain, in full detail, what happens when a current which is bigger than normal flows.

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[4]
 4th Form Electromagnetism

3. (a) The diagram shows an electric bell inside a glass jar. The bell can be heard ringing.

To a vacuum pump

In the following sentences, cross out the two lines that are wrong in each box.

When all the air has been taken out of the glass jar, the ringing sound will

stop. travels faster

get louder. This is because sound travels slower through a vacuum.
get quieter. cannot travel
[2]

(b) The microphone and cathode ray oscilloscope are used to show the sound wave pattern of a musical
instrument.

Cathode ray
Musical instrument oscilloscope
Microphone

One of the following statements describes what a microphone does. Tick the box next to the correct
statement.

A microphone transfers sound energy to light energy.

A microphone transfers sound energy to electrical energy.

A microphone transfers electrical energy to sound energy.

[1]

(c) Four different sound wave patterns are shown. They are all drawn to the same scale.

A B C D
 4th Form Electromagnetism
(i) Which sound wave pattern has the highest pitch?

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Give a reason for your answer.

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[2]

(ii) Which sound wave pattern is the loudest?

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Give a reason for your answer.

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[2]

(d) (i) The frequency of some sounds is too high for humans to hear. Underline the word which
describes this sound.

microwave ultrasound ultraviolet

[1]

(ii) Give one use for this type of sound wave.

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[1]
Total 9 marks
 4th Form Electromagnetism

4. (a) The diagram shows apparatus used to demonstrate the electric motor effect. When he switch is
closed the wire moves.

Metal rail

Movable wire

Metal rail

(i) Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction the wire moves.
[1]

(ii) Explain why the wire moves.

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[2]
 4th Form Electromagnetism

5. (a) The diagram shows a switch that is operated by an electromagnet.

Pivot

Iron arm
Electromagnet
Contacts

(i) What is this type of switch called?

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[1]

(ii) The switch is used in a car starter motor circuit.

Ignition
key

M
Starter motor

Explain how turning the ignition key makes a current flow in the starter motor. The
explanation has been started for you.

When the ignition key is turned ......................................................................

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[3]

(b) (i) What energy transfer is the starter motor designed to produce?

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[1]

(ii) Starter motors are always less than 100% efficient. Why?

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[1]

Total 6 marks
 4th Form Electromagnetism

6. The diagram below shows a door lock which can be opened from a flat inside a building.

(a) Explain how the door is unlocked when the switch is closed.

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[4]

(b) State two changes which would increase the strength of the electromagnet.

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[2]

(c) Why is the spring needed in the lock?

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[1]

(d) The connections to the coil were accidentally reversed. Would the lock still work?

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Explain your answer.

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[2]
 4th Form Electromagnetism
7.
4th Form Electromagnetism
 4th Form Electromagnetism
8. The following is an example of how a Residual Current Detector (RCD) would be placed between the mains
electicity and a piece of equipment.

Consider the diagram carefully and exaplin how the RCD works.
 4th Form Electromagnetism
Physics Challenge Questions
1991