Magnetism Topic Test – Foundation

✏️ Paper first! Work out every question on paper before you tap Show solution. Write down every step – the equation, the numbers with units, the rearranging and the answer with its unit. In the exam, if your final answer is wrong you can still get marks for correct working, but only if the examiner can see it.

AQA-style topic test · Magnetism and Electromagnetism · Foundation tier

Time allowed: 35 minutes
Total: Separate Physics 31 marks · Combined Science 23 marks (skip Question 05)
You need: a calculator, a ruler and the equation sheet.

Instructions: Answer all questions on paper. Show your working in calculations – you can get marks for working even if your final answer is wrong. Open the mark schemes only when you have finished the whole test.

Question 01

01.1 Complete the sentence.
Two north poles placed close together will ___________ each other.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

repel (1)

01.2 Which metal is a magnetic material?
Tick (✓) one box.
☐ aluminium   ☐ copper   ☐ nickel   ☐ silver    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

nickel (1)

01.3 Describe the difference between a permanent magnet and an induced magnet.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

a permanent magnet produces its own magnetic field (1)
an induced magnet only becomes a magnet when it is placed in a magnetic field / loses most of its magnetism when removed (1)

01.4 In which direction do magnetic field lines point?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

from the north pole to the south pole (1)

Question 01 total: 5 marks

Question 02

02.1 Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a straight wire carrying a current.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

circles around the wire (centred on the wire) (1)

02.2 An electromagnet is made by wrapping a coil of wire around an iron core.
Give two ways to make the electromagnet stronger.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

any two from (1 each): increase the current · add more turns to the coil · (use an iron core)

02.3 Electromagnets are used to lift scrap iron in a scrapyard.
Explain why an electromagnet is used rather than a permanent magnet.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

an electromagnet can be switched off (1)
so the scrap iron can be dropped where it is needed (1)

02.4 What is a solenoid?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

a coil of wire (1)

Question 02 total: 6 marks

Question 03

A wire carrying a current is placed between the poles of a magnet. The wire moves.

03.1 What is this effect called?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

the motor effect (1)

03.2 Fleming’s left-hand rule is used to find the direction of the force. What does each finger represent?
(a) first finger (b) second finger (c) thumb    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

all three correct: first finger = field, second finger = current, thumb = motion / force (2)
one or two correct (1)

03.3 Give one way to make the wire move in the opposite direction.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

reverse the current / reverse the magnetic field (swap the poles) (1)

03.4 Give two ways to increase the force on the wire.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

any two from (1 each): increase the current · use a stronger magnet · increase the length of wire in the field

03.5 In which position is the force on the wire biggest?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

when the wire is at right angles to the magnetic field (1)

Question 03 total: 7 marks

Question 04

A student investigates how the number of turns on an electromagnet affects how many paper clips it can pick up. Table 1 shows her results.

Number of turns1020304050
Number of paper clips4812920

04.1 Name the independent variable and the dependent variable.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

independent: number of turns (1)
dependent: number of paper clips picked up (1)

04.2 Which result is anomalous?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

40 turns – 9 paper clips (1)

04.3 Describe the pattern in the results.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

the more turns, the more paper clips are picked up / directly proportional (1)

04.4 Give one control variable.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

any one from (1): the current · the type / size of paper clips · the same iron core

Question 04 total: 5 marks

🔷 SEPARATE PHYSICS ONLY – Combined Science students skip Question 05
(The generator effect and transformers are only in Separate Physics.)

Question 05

05.1 A magnet is pushed into a coil of wire connected to a sensitive ammeter. The ammeter shows a reading.
Why does a current flow?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

a potential difference is induced because the magnetic field in the coil is changing / the magnet moves relative to the coil (the generator effect) (1)

05.2 Give two ways to increase the induced potential difference.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

any two from (1 each): move the magnet faster · use a stronger magnet · use more turns on the coil

A transformer has 100 turns on its primary coil and 500 turns on its secondary coil.

05.3 Is this a step-up or a step-down transformer? Give a reason.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

step-up, because there are more turns on the secondary coil (1)

05.4 The primary coil has a potential difference of 12 V.
Calculate the potential difference across the secondary coil.
Use the equation: Vp ÷ Vs = np ÷ ns    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

12 ÷ Vs = 100 ÷ 500 (1)
Vs = 60 V (1)

05.5 Explain why a transformer only works with alternating current.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

an alternating current creates a changing magnetic field in the iron core (1)
a changing field is needed to induce a potential difference in the secondary coil (1)

Question 05 total: 8 marks


END OF TEST. Total: Separate Physics 31 marks · Combined Science 23 marks.

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