AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
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.
An unmagnetised piece of iron has randomly arranged domains and no poles of its own.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 6
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
An unmagnetised piece of iron has randomly arranged domains and no poles of its own. Put it in a magnetic field and it becomes an induced magnet with the opposite pole facing the magnet, so it is pulled towards it. Turn the magnet round and the induced poles turn round too, so the result is attraction again. Non-magnetic metals such as aluminium and copper feel no force at all, neither attraction nor repulsion. Observing repulsion therefore tells you that both objects must be permanent magnets.
What earns the marks
- Stating that the force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always attraction.
- Explaining it by induced magnetism, with the opposite pole induced nearest the magnet.
- Stating that reversing the magnet still gives attraction.
- Concluding that observed repulsion means both objects are permanent magnets.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Predicting repulsion when the magnet is turned round.
Saying an iron bar has permanent poles of its own before the magnet arrives.
Claiming a magnet repels a non-magnetic metal such as aluminium, when it exerts no force on it.
Using attraction as evidence that the second object is a magnet.
Exam tips
- The word 'always' carries the mark, so write it.
- Justify with induced poles rather than simply naming iron as magnetic.
- Remember non-magnetic metals feel no force, rather than a repulsive one.
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
Which type of force always acts between a magnet and a magnetic material?
Listen
An unmagnetised piece of iron has randomly arranged domains and no poles of its own. Put it in a magnetic field and it becomes an induced magnet with the opposite pole facing the magnet, so it is pulled towards it. Turn the magnet round and the induced poles turn round too, so the result is attraction again. Non-magnetic metals such as aluminium and copper feel no force at all, neither attraction nor repulsion. Observing repulsion therefore tells you that both objects must be permanent magnets. A strong answer earns marks for these points. stating that the force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always attraction. explaining it by induced magnetism, with the opposite pole induced nearest the magnet. stating that reversing the magnet still gives attraction. concluding that observed repulsion means both objects are permanent magnets. Exam tip: The word 'always' carries the mark, so write it.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
always attraction
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
induced poles
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
non-magnetic metals
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- always attraction
- The force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always one of attraction, whichever way round the magnet is held.
- induced poles
- An unmagnetised piece of iron in a magnetic field becomes an induced magnet with the opposite pole facing the magnet, and the induced poles turn round when the magnet is turned round.
- non-magnetic metals
- Metals such as aluminium and copper feel no force at all from a magnet, neither attraction nor repulsion.
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