AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
The region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a…
Full specification wording
Magnetic fields: The region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic material (iron, steel, cobalt and nickel) is called the magnetic field.
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet in which a force can act on another magnet or on a magnetic material.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet in which a force can act on another magnet or on a magnetic material. The magnetic materials named in the specification are iron, steel, cobalt and nickel; steel is mostly iron, so it behaves as a magnetic material too. The field is strongest at the poles and becomes weaker with distance. Field lines are drawn from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet, and the closer together the lines, the stronger the field. A plotting compass placed near a magnet lines up along the field line at that point, so a student can map the field by marking the compass needle direction at several positions and joining the marks with a smooth curve.
What earns the marks
- A magnetic field is a region, not a material object, and it exists around every magnet.
- A force acts within the field on another magnet or on a magnetic material.
- The magnetic materials listed are iron, steel, cobalt and nickel.
- Field strength is greatest at the poles and decreases as distance from the magnet increases.
- Field lines run from north to south outside the magnet, and their spacing shows relative field strength.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing only iron as a magnetic material.
Put it right by including steel, cobalt and nickel as well.
Drawing field lines from south to north outside the magnet.
Put it right by drawing them from north to south outside the magnet.
Treating the field as existing only where a field line is drawn.
Put it right by stating that the field fills the surrounding space and lines are a model used to represent it.
Exam tips
- Name all four magnetic materials when the question asks which materials are affected by a magnetic field.
- Use the spacing of field lines to compare field strength, and state that closer lines mean a stronger field.
- When describing a plotting compass method, say that the compass is moved to a new position each time and the needle direction is marked before joining the marks.
Try the lesson
The start of the Magnetic fields: The region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic material (iron, steel, cobalt and nickel) is called the magnetic field. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these materials is a magnetic material that is attracted into a magnetic field?
Listen
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet in which a force can act on another magnet or on a magnetic material. The magnetic materials named in the specification are iron, steel, cobalt and nickel; steel is mostly iron, so it behaves as a magnetic material too. The field is strongest at the poles and becomes weaker with distance. Field lines are drawn from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet, and the closer together the lines, the stronger the field. A plotting compass placed near a magnet lines up along the field line at that point, so a student can map the field by marking the compass needle direction at several positions and joining the marks with a smooth curve. A strong answer earns marks for these points. A magnetic field is a region, not a material object, and it exists around every magnet. A force acts within the field on another magnet or on a magnetic material. The magnetic materials listed are iron, steel, cobalt and nickel. Field strength is greatest at the poles and decreases as distance from the magnet increases. A common slip: Listing only iron as a magnetic material. Instead, including steel, cobalt and nickel as well. Exam tip: Name all four magnetic materials when the question asks which materials are affected by a magnetic field.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Magnetic field
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Magnetic materials
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Field strength and distance
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Field lines
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See every definition
- Magnetic field
- The region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic material.
- Magnetic materials
- Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel, on which a force acts within the magnetic field.
- Field strength and distance
- The field is strongest at the poles and becomes weaker with distance from the magnet.
- Field lines
- Drawn from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet, and the closer together the lines, the stronger the field.
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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