AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
The force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always one of…
Full specification wording
Magnetic fields: The force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always one of attraction.
A magnetic material is one that is attracted towards a magnet, such as iron, steel, cobalt or nickel.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A magnetic material is one that is attracted towards a magnet, such as iron, steel, cobalt or nickel. Because such a material is not itself a permanent magnet, it has no fixed north or south pole to repel. When it is brought near a magnet, the magnet induces magnetism in it, so the near face always becomes an opposite pole and the two attract. This is why a fridge magnet clings to a steel door and why an iron nail is pulled towards either pole of a bar magnet. Contrast this with two permanent magnets, where like poles repel and unlike poles attract. The key idea is that attraction is the only possible outcome between a magnet and a magnetic material, whatever the orientation of the material.
What earns the marks
- State that magnetic materials include iron, steel, cobalt and nickel.
- Explain that a magnetic material is attracted towards a magnet, never repelled.
- Describe how a magnet induces magnetism in a magnetic material, producing an opposite pole on the near face.
- Contrast the behaviour of a magnetic material with that of a second permanent magnet, where like poles repel.
- Apply the idea to a familiar context, such as a fridge magnet holding to a steel door or an iron nail being pulled towards either pole.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking that turning a magnetic material around can make it repel a magnet.
Put it right: A magnetic material has no fixed poles, so it is always attracted.
Confusing magnetic materials with permanent magnets.
Put it right: Only a permanent magnet has fixed north and south poles that can repel another magnet.
Believing that all metals are magnetic.
Put it right: Only iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic; copper, aluminium and gold are not.
Exam tips
- Name the magnetic materials explicitly when asked to give examples, rather than saying 'metal'.
- Use the word 'induced' when explaining why attraction occurs, and link it to the opposite pole formed on the near face.
- If a question describes two objects, decide first whether both are permanent magnets or one is a magnetic material, then apply the correct rule.
Try the lesson
The start of the Magnetic fields: The force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always one of attraction. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A bar magnet is brought close to an iron nail. Which statement describes the force between the magnet and the nail?
Listen
A magnetic material is one that is attracted towards a magnet, such as iron, steel, cobalt or nickel. Because such a material is not itself a permanent magnet, it has no fixed north or south pole to repel. When it is brought near a magnet, the magnet induces magnetism in it, so the near face always becomes an opposite pole and the two attract. This is why a fridge magnet clings to a steel door and why an iron nail is pulled towards either pole of a bar magnet. Contrast this with two permanent magnets, where like poles repel and unlike poles attract. The key idea is that attraction is the only possible outcome between a magnet and a magnetic material, whatever the orientation of the material. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that magnetic materials include iron, steel, cobalt and nickel. Explain that a magnetic material is attracted towards a magnet, never repelled. Describe how a magnet induces magnetism in a magnetic material, producing an opposite pole on the near face. Contrast the behaviour of a magnetic material with that of a second permanent magnet, where like poles repel. A common slip: Thinking that turning a magnetic material around can make it repel a magnet. Instead, a magnetic material has no fixed poles, so it is always attracted. Exam tip: Name the magnetic materials explicitly when asked to give examples, rather than saying 'metal'.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Magnetic materials
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Induced magnetism
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Attraction and repulsion
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Poles of a magnet
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See every definition
- Magnetic materials
- Materials such as iron, steel, cobalt or nickel that are attracted towards a magnet.
- Induced magnetism
- When a magnetic material is brought near a magnet, the magnet induces magnetism in it so the near face becomes an opposite pole.
- Attraction and repulsion
- A magnet and a magnetic material always attract, while two permanent magnets repel when like poles face each other and attract when unlike poles do.
- Poles of a magnet
- A permanent magnet has fixed north and south poles, but a magnetic material has no fixed poles to repel.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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