Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 1PH0 · Version from Sept 2016
Describe the uses of permanent and temporary magnetic materials including…
Full specification wording
Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect: 12.2 Describe the uses of permanent and temporary magnetic materials including cobalt, steel, iron and nickel
A permanent magnetic material keeps its magnetism once magnetised, so it suits a job where a steady field is needed without a power supply, such as a compass needle or the magnet in a loudspeaker.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PH0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 13
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A permanent magnetic material keeps its magnetism once magnetised, so it suits a job where a steady field is needed without a power supply, such as a compass needle or the magnet in a loudspeaker. A temporary magnetic material is easily magnetised while it sits in a magnetic field but loses most of its magnetism when the field is removed, so it suits a job where the magnetism must switch on and off, such as the iron core of an electromagnet in a scrapyard crane or a relay. Steel is a permanent magnetic material; iron is a temporary magnetic material. Cobalt and nickel are also magnetic materials and are used where a strong, durable magnet is needed, for example in some alloys for magnets.
What earns the marks
- Describes a permanent magnetic material as one that keeps its magnetism after magnetisation.
- Describes a temporary magnetic material as one that is magnetised only while in a magnetic field.
- Gives a use of a permanent magnetic material such as a compass needle or a loudspeaker magnet.
- Gives a use of a temporary magnetic material such as the iron core of an electromagnet.
- Identifies cobalt, steel, iron and nickel as magnetic materials and links steel to permanent use and iron to temporary use.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claims that iron is a permanent magnetic material.
Put it right by stating that iron is temporary and steel is permanent.
Assumes all metals are magnetic.
Put it right by naming only cobalt, steel, iron and nickel as the magnetic materials in the specification.
Says a temporary magnet cannot be magnetised at all.
Put it right by explaining that it is magnetised in a field but loses the magnetism when the field is removed.
Exam tips
- Link each material to a job: steel for a permanent magnet, iron for an electromagnet core.
- Use the words permanent and temporary correctly and give one clear example for each.
- Check that any named material is one of cobalt, steel, iron or nickel.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect: 12.2 Describe the uses of permanent and temporary magnetic materials including cobalt, steel, iron and nickel lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these materials is attracted to a magnet and so can be used as a temporary magnetic material?
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