Physics - 4PH1 PearsonEdexcel

Magnetism

Overview

Pick up two fridge magnets and you can feel an invisible force pulling them together or pushing them apart, depending on which way round you hold them. That same force guides compass needles, locks cupboard doors, and even steers charged particles streaming from the Sun away from Earth's surface.

In this lesson you will learn which materials respond to magnets and why, how to distinguish permanent magnets from induced ones, and how to map the invisible field that surrounds every magnet using compasses and field-line diagrams. These ideas underpin the electromagnetism topics that follow, and Edexcel tests them regularly on both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Objectives

  1. Know that magnets repel and attract other magnets and attract magnetic substances
  2. Describe the properties of magnetically hard and soft materials
  3. Understand the term 'magnetic field line'
  4. Know that magnetism is induced in some materials when they are placed in a magnetic field
  5. Investigate the magnetic field pattern for a permanent bar magnet and between two bar magnets
  6. Describe how to use two permanent magnets to produce a uniform magnetic field pattern

Lesson Note

Long before anyone understood atoms or electrons, ancient Greeks noticed that a certain rock from the region of Magnesia could attract pieces of iron. Thousands of years later, we still describe forces that act without contact as 'magnetic'. Understanding which materials feel this pull, what happens inside them, and how the force spreads through space is the starting point for everything from electric motors to MRI scanners.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Magnetism. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which of the following is NOT a magnetic material? A) Iron B) Cobalt C) Copper D) Nickel Answer: C
  2. What happens when two north poles are brought close together? A) They attract B) They repel C) Nothing happens D) They become demagnetised Answer: B
  3. Magnetic field lines around a bar magnet point: A) From south to north outside the magnet B) From north to south outside the magnet C) From north to south inside the magnet D) In random directions Answer: B
  4. A uniform magnetic field is represented by field lines that are: A) Curved and close together B) Straight and getting further apart C) Parallel and equally spaced D) Circular and concentric Answer: C
  5. Which of the following is the only sure test that an object is a magnet? A) It attracts iron filings B) It is attracted to a known magnet C) It is repelled by a known magnet D) It sticks to a fridge door Answer: C

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

Want to practice mock questions on Magnetism? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.

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