11 mark
Some metals and alloys are magnetic.
Which of these is magnetic?
aluminium
copper
gold
steel
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Magnetism & Electromagnetism (Edexcel IGCSE Physics)
Topic Questions
21 mark
What does the arrow on a magnetic field line show?
the direction of a magnetic field
the electrostatic attraction
the presence of an electric current
the strength of a magnetic field
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31 mark
Separate: Physics Only
Which of these field patterns is correct?
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41 mark
What do equal spaces between magnetic field lines show about the magnetic field?
It has uniform strength
It goes from a S-pole to a N-pole.
It must be caused by a current.
It must be caused by a bar magnet.
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5a2 marks
Magnetic fields can have different shapes.
The diagram shows a bar magnet. Complete the diagram to show the shape of the field around the magnet. 
5b3 marks
The diagram shows two bar magnets. They produce a uniform magnetic field.
On the diagram, sketch the part of the field that is uniform and label the poles.
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1a4 marks
A student uses this apparatus to investigate what happens to a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
The student connects the two parallel horizontal metal rails to the positive and negative terminals of a power supply.
The metal rod AB rests across the rails and is free to move.
Explain what happens to the metal rod AB.
1b4 marks
This diagram shows the construction of a simple loudspeaker.
A coil of wire is wrapped around a paper tube attached to the loudspeaker cone. When there is an alternating current in the coil, the cone moves.
Describe how the alternating current generates a sound wave. You may draw a diagram if it helps your answer.
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24 marks
In a radio, sound is produced by a loudspeaker. The diagram shows the construction of a loudspeaker.
Describe how a loudspeaker uses an electrical supply to produce sound waves.
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3a4 marks
The photograph shows a small electric motor.
Explain why the coil starts to spin when the switch is closed.
3b2 marks
(i)
Suggest how to make the coil spin in the opposite direction.
(1)
(ii)
Suggest how to make the coil spin more slowly.
(1)
3c2 marks
In a different motor, the magnets are curved and there is a piece of iron inside the coil. The iron increases the strength of the magnetic field through the coil.
Suggest how the curved magnets and the piece of iron improve the performance of the electric motor.
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4a3 marks
Separate: Physics Only
A direct current passes around a flat, circular coil as shown.
On the diagram, sketch the magnetic field caused by the current in the coil.
4b3 marks
The coil is suspended vertically so that it is free to swing. A second, identical coil is placed beside it.
| When direct currents pass, as shown, the two coils move together, |  |
| When the current in the right-hand coil is reversed, the two coils move apart. |  |
Explain why the coils move in this way.
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5a3 marks
Separate: Physics Only
Magnetic field lines show the shape and direction of a magnetic field.
The diagram shows a cross-section through a wire placed between two magnetic poles. The wire carries electric current into the page at X. The shape of the magnetic field is shown.
(i)
Add arrows to two of the magnetic field lines to show the direction of the magnetic field.
(1)
(ii)
Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction of the force on the wire.
Label this arrow F.
(2)
5b2 marks
The wire is removed and the magnetic field between the poles changes.
Sketch the new magnetic field.
5c3 marks
Explain how you could use a plotting compass to investigate the magnetic field around a bar magnet. You may draw a diagram to help your answer.
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1a1 mark
The diagram shows an electric motor.
This electric motor needs a direct current (d.c).
Explain what is meant by the term direct current.
1b4 marks
(i)
Explain the purpose of the brushes and the commutator in a d.c. motor.
(3)
(ii)
The motor turns clockwise when the direction of the current goes from + to – . State what happens to the motor when both the magnetic field and the current are reversed.
(1)
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2a2 marks
Diagram 1 shows some of the apparatus used to investigate the force on a current-carrying wire, XY, in a magnetic field.
Diagram 2 shows the poles of the magnet viewed from above.
Draw the uniform magnetic field between the poles.
2b6 marks
The current-carrying wire XY is at right angles to the magnetic field. The current in the wire is 10 A.
(i)
Suggest why the wire used in this investigation must be thick.
(1)
(ii)
Explain why the wire XY experiences a force when there is a current in the circuit.
(3)
(iii)
State two ways in which this force can be reduced.
(2)
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3a6 marks
The diagram shows a piece of card and two wide bar magnets.
(i)
Add to the diagram to show the shape and direction of the magnetic field pattern between the magnets.
(3)
(ii)
Describe how to investigate the shape and direction of the magnetic field between the magnets.
(3)
3b2 marks
A metal rod, X Y, is placed in a magnetic field as shown.
Wires from a cell are connected to the ends of the rod so that there is a current from X to Y.
Describe the effect on the rod.
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4a3 marks
The photograph shows a simple d.c. electric motor.
When the switch is closed the coil spins. Explain why this happens.
4b3 marks
(i)
Describe two ways to increase the speed of rotation of the coil in this motor.
(2)
(ii)
Suggest how to make the coil spin in the opposite direction.
(1)
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5a2 marks
The diagram shows the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet.
Complete the diagram above by labelling the poles on the bar magnet.
5b3 marks
Describe an experiment to investigate the shape of the magnetic field pattern of a bar magnet. You may draw a diagram to help your answer.
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6a2 marks
Separate: Physics Only
A magnetic field pattern can be shown using lines.
The diagram shows some magnetic field patterns.
Which pattern shows a uniform magnetic field? Explain your answer.
6b3 marks
Explain how to produce a uniform magnetic field.
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7a1 mark
This photograph shows an electromagnetic device used to keep a door open.
The electromagnet attracts the metal plate to hold the door open.
The electromagnet is connected to a fire alarm circuit.
When the fire alarm sounds, the door is released and it closes.
State why the metal plate is made of iron.
7b3 marks
Separate: Physics Only
Describe the construction of an electromagnet. You may draw a diagram to help your answer.
7c2 marks
Describe the changes that allow the electromagnet to release the door when the fire alarm sounds.
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8a2 marks
The diagram shows two identical metal rods placed inside a coil of wire.
When a direct current is supplied to the coil, a magnetic field forms and the metal rods move apart. Explain why the metal rods move apart.
8b3 marks
When the current is switched off, the metal rods return to their starting places.
Suggest what material the metal rods are made from. Explain your answer.
8c2 marks
The direct current in the coil is replaced by an alternating current.
Explain what will happen to the magnetic field.
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