AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
When two magnets are brought close together they exert a force on each…
Full specification wording
Poles of a magnet: When two magnets are brought close together they exert a force on each other.
Bring two magnets close and each one exerts a force on the other.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Bring two magnets close and each one exerts a force on the other. The two forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, and they act on different objects, so the magnet clamped to the bench feels exactly the same size of force as the one that jumps. Whether the pair attract or repel is decided by the poles facing each other, not by which magnet is stronger. The size of the force grows quickly as the separation is reduced and as stronger magnets are used. The force needs no contact and passes straight through air, paper or a hand, which is why a magnet held under a table can drag a paperclip across the top.
What earns the marks
- Stating that both magnets experience a force, not only the one that moves.
- Stating that the two forces are equal in size and opposite in direction.
- Stating that the force is larger when the magnets are closer together.
- Identifying the interaction as attraction or repulsion from the poles shown.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming the stronger magnet exerts the larger force on the weaker one.
Saying only the magnet that moves experiences a force.
Assuming any two magnets brought together must attract.
Forgetting that the force grows sharply as the separation is reduced.
Exam tips
- Name the two poles facing each other before you name the force.
- Use the phrase 'equal in size and opposite in direction, acting on different magnets'.
- In a table of pole pairs, read each row separately rather than looking for a pattern.
Try the lesson
The start of the Poles of a magnet: When two magnets are brought close together they exert a force on each other. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A student places two strong bar magnets near each other on a desk. What is the general rule for what happens when two magnets are brought close together?
Listen
Bring two magnets close and each one exerts a force on the other. The two forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, and they act on different objects, so the magnet clamped to the bench feels exactly the same size of force as the one that jumps. Whether the pair attract or repel is decided by the poles facing each other, not by which magnet is stronger. The size of the force grows quickly as the separation is reduced and as stronger magnets are used. The force needs no contact and passes straight through air, paper or a hand, which is why a magnet held under a table can drag a paperclip across the top. A strong answer earns marks for these points. stating that both magnets experience a force, not only the one that moves. stating that the two forces are equal in size and opposite in direction. stating that the force is larger when the magnets are closer together. identifying the interaction as attraction or repulsion from the poles shown. Exam tip: Name the two poles facing each other before you name the force.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
force between magnets
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equal and opposite forces
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attraction and repulsion
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effect of separation
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See every definition
- force between magnets
- When two magnets are brought close together, each one exerts a force on the other.
- equal and opposite forces
- The two forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, and they act on different objects.
- attraction and repulsion
- Whether the pair attract or repel is decided by the poles facing each other, not by which magnet is stronger.
- effect of separation
- The size of the force grows quickly as the separation is reduced and as stronger magnets are used.
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