AQA · GCSE Physics 8463

AQA GCSE Physics: Magnetism and electromagnetism — Practice Questions & Answers

Permanent and induced magnets, fields, the motor and generator effects, motors, transformers and the key equations F=BIl and Vp/Vs=np/ns.

454 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.

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Practice questions with answers

1 Multiple choice · Easy

Which pair of magnetic poles will attract each other?

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WhyUnlike poles attract; like poles repel. A north pole and a south pole are unlike, so they attract.
2 Multiple choice · Easy

Which of these is a magnetic material that is attracted to a magnet?

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WhyIron is a magnetic material (along with steel, cobalt and nickel) and is attracted to magnets. Copper, aluminium and plastic are not magnetic.
3 Multiple choice · Easy

In what direction does a magnetic field line point?

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WhyBy convention, magnetic field lines run from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet.
4 Multiple choice · Easy

What is the difference between a permanent magnet and an induced magnet?

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WhyA permanent magnet produces its own field all the time, while an induced magnet only becomes magnetic when placed in a magnetic field and quickly loses most of its magnetism when removed.
5 Multiple choice · Easy

Which instrument uses a small bar magnet that lines up with the Earth's magnetic field?

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WhyA compass contains a tiny bar magnet that is free to rotate and aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, showing that the Earth's core is magnetic.
6 Fill in the blank · Easy

The force between two magnets that are not touching is an example of a force, because it acts without contact.

Answer: non-contact / non contact / noncontact

WhyMagnetic forces are non-contact forces; they act over a distance without the objects needing to touch.
7 Multiple choice · Medium

A current flows through a long straight wire. What is the shape of the magnetic field around the wire?

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WhyThe field around a straight current-carrying wire forms concentric circles centred on the wire, getting weaker further from the wire.
8 Multiple choice · Medium

Which change will increase the strength of the magnetic field produced by a solenoid?

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WhyAdding an iron core, increasing the current, or increasing the number of turns per unit length all increase the field strength of a solenoid.
9 Multiple choice · Medium

Why is the magnetic field inside a solenoid described as strong and uniform?

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WhyThe fields from each turn of wire add together inside the solenoid, producing a strong field with evenly spaced, parallel field lines (uniform).
10 Multiple choice · Medium

A wire carrying a current sits at 90 degrees to a magnetic field. According to Fleming's left-hand rule, the thumb represents which quantity?

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WhyIn Fleming's left-hand rule the thumb shows the force (motion), the first finger the field, and the second finger the current.

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Key terms in Magnetism and electromagnetism

Magnet: An object that produces a magnetic field and attracts magnetic materials.
Magnetic pole: A region at the end of a magnet where the magnetic force is strongest.
North pole: The pole of a magnet that points towards geographic north when the magnet is free to rotate.
South pole: The pole of a magnet that points towards geographic south when the magnet is free to rotate.
Attraction: A pulling force experienced between two unlike magnetic poles.
Repulsion: A pushing force experienced between two like magnetic poles.
Like poles: Two poles of the same type, which repel each other.
Unlike poles: Two poles of opposite type, which attract each other.

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