Name the four magnetic metals.

Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt.

Is aluminium attracted by a magnet?

No. Aluminium is not a magnetic material.

What is a permanent magnet?

A magnet that keeps its magnetism, e.g. a steel bar magnet.

What is an induced magnet?

A magnetic material that becomes a magnet while it is near or touching a magnet.

How can you prove that an object is a magnet and not just a magnetic material?

It repels another magnet. A magnetic material is only ever attracted.

In which direction do field lines point outside a magnet?

From the north pole to the south pole.

Where is the magnetic field strongest?

Where the field lines are closest together, at the poles.

What does a uniform field look like?

Straight, parallel, evenly spaced field lines.

Why does a compass needle point north?

It lines up with the Earth's magnetic field.

How do you plot a field with a plotting compass?

Mark both ends of the needle, move the compass so one end is on the last dot, repeat, then join the dots.

How do you magnetise a piece of steel with a magnet?

Stroke it many times in one direction with one pole, lifting the magnet away each time.

Name two ways of demagnetising a magnet.

Hit it repeatedly or heat it strongly.

Magnets and magnetic fieldsIB MYP Physics: Flashcards

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What happens when like poles are brought together?

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What happens when like poles are brought together?: They repel.
What happens when unlike poles are brought together?: They attract.
Name the four magnetic metals.: Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt.
Is aluminium attracted by a magnet?: No. Aluminium is not a magnetic material.
What is a permanent magnet?: A magnet that keeps its magnetism, e.g. a steel bar magnet.
What is an induced magnet?: A magnetic material that becomes a magnet while it is near or touching a magnet.
How can you prove that an object is a magnet and not just a magnetic material?: It repels another magnet. A magnetic material is only ever attracted.
In which direction do field lines point outside a magnet?: From the north pole to the south pole.
Where is the magnetic field strongest?: Where the field lines are closest together, at the poles.
What does a uniform field look like?: Straight, parallel, evenly spaced field lines.
Why does a compass needle point north?: It lines up with the Earth's magnetic field.
How do you plot a field with a plotting compass?: Mark both ends of the needle, move the compass so one end is on the last dot, repeat, then join the dots.
How do you magnetise a piece of steel with a magnet?: Stroke it many times in one direction with one pole, lifting the magnet away each time.
Name two ways of demagnetising a magnet.: Hit it repeatedly or heat it strongly.

Exam questions on Magnets and magnetic fields

A student in Mumbai tests a bar magnet with four objects: an iron nail, a copper coin, a steel paper clip and a plastic ruler.
The iron nail sticks to the magnet but falls off when the magnet is removed. Explain what is meant by an induced magnet.2 marks
A hiker in the Swiss mountains uses a compass to find her way. The compass needle is a small bar magnet that is free to turn.
Describe how the hiker could plot the magnetic field around a bar magnet using a small plotting compass.2 marks
A mechanic in Dubai wants to turn a steel screwdriver into a magnet so that it can pick up small steel screws. She has a strong bar magnet and a hammer.
Describe how she can magnetise the steel screwdriver using the bar magnet.3 marks

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Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).