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Edexcel International GCSE Physics · Topic Test
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
FREE Online Physics GCSE Course55minutes
56marks
8questions
How it works
- Answer each question. Type into the boxes or pick an option, and use paper for working and drawings.
- Press Check my answers at the end of the question. Tick-box and number answers are marked for you.
- For written answers, compare yours with the mark scheme and tick each point you made. We highlight the key words we spot, but you decide, just like an examiner.
Which course are you taking?
Pick one and the page skips the questions that aren’t on your course. Double Award skips Questions 7 and 8 (electromagnets, field of a coil), which are Physics only.
You will need: paper, a pen, a pencil, a ruler and a calculator. Your answers save automatically in this browser.
1
Question 1
9 marksMagnetic field lines show the shape and direction of a magnetic field. The diagram shows the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet.
A bar magnet
(a)
Label the poles of the bar magnet.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Field lines leave N and go into S: the arrows point out of the right-hand end, so that is N.
Left-hand end: S
Right-hand end: N
(b)
Some metals and alloys are magnetic. Which of these is magnetic?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Answer: D steel
(c)
Which of these field patterns is correct?
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Field lines point away from N poles and into S poles. Two N poles facing repel, so the lines bend away from the gap.
Answer: C
(d)
Which pattern shows a uniform magnetic field? Explain your answer.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Answer: D
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(e)
Explain how to produce a uniform magnetic field.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ Poles are N and S, not positive and negative, and this mark scheme wants permanent magnets.
2
Question 2
5 marks(a)
The diagram shows a piece of card and two wide bar magnets.
Two magnets and a card
Describe how to investigate the shape and direction of the magnetic field between the magnets.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(b)
A metal rod, XY, is placed in a magnetic field as shown. Wires from a cell connect to the ends of the rod so that there is a current from X to Y.
A rod in a magnetic field
Describe the effect on the rod.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Any two of these score (max 2):
⚠️ The force is at right angles to both the field (up the page) and the current (X to Y), so it can’t be “up”: it’s out of the paper.
3
Question 3
8 marksDiagram 1 shows some of the apparatus used to investigate the force on a current-carrying wire, XY, in a magnetic field.
Diagram 1
(a)
Diagram 2 shows the poles of the magnet viewed from above. Draw (on paper) the uniform magnetic field between the poles.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Score 1 for at least 3 straight, evenly spaced lines between the poles, and 1 for an arrow from N to S.
(b)(i)
The wire XY is at right angles to the field. The current in the wire is 10 A. Suggest why the wire used in this investigation must be thick.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(b)(ii)
Explain why the wire XY experiences a force when there is a current in the circuit.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Any three of these score (max 3):
(b)(iii)
State two ways in which this force can be reduced.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ “Smaller magnets” doesn’t score: say weaker magnets.
4
Question 4
8 marksThe diagram shows a simple d.c. electric motor.
A simple motor
(a)
When the switch is closed the coil spins. Explain why this happens.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Any three of these score (max 3):
⚠️ “Cutting field lines” is about induction (generators). A motor works because the two magnetic fields interact.
(b)(i)
Describe two ways to increase the speed of rotation of the coil in this motor.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Any two of these score (max 2):
(b)(ii)
Suggest how to make the coil spin in the opposite direction.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(c)
In a different motor, the magnets are curved and there is a piece of iron inside the coil. The iron increases the strength of the magnetic field through the coil.
Suggest how the curved magnets and the piece of iron improve the performance of the electric motor.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Any two of these score (max 2):
5
Question 5
7 marksThe diagram shows two identical metal rods placed inside a coil of wire.
Rods in a coil
(a)
When a direct current is supplied to the coil, a magnetic field forms and the metal rods move apart. Explain why the metal rods move apart.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
⚠️ This is magnetism, not static: the rods are magnetised, not charged.
(b)
When the current is switched off, the metal rods return to their starting places. Suggest what material the metal rods are made from. Explain your answer.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Material: (soft) iron (accept steel, nickel, cobalt)
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(c)
The direct current in the coil is replaced by an alternating current. Explain what will happen to the magnetic field.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Any two of these score (max 2):
6
Question 6
7 marksThe diagram shows a magnet held above a coil. The coil is connected to a voltmeter.
A magnet and a coil
(a)(i)
The magnet is released and falls into the coil. Explain why the voltmeter shows a reading.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(a)(ii)
The magnet is released from a greater height. How does this affect the voltmeter? Explain your answer.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(b)
State how the voltmeter reading changes when the same magnet
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
moves more slowly into the coil: smaller
moves into a coil with more turns: bigger
is reversed so the S-pole enters first: the reading is in the opposite direction
7
Question 7
Physics only6 marksSkip this one. Electromagnets and the fields of coils (6.9P, 6.10P) are only on the Physics course, so this isn’t in your Double Award score.
Physics only. Double Award students: pick “Double Award” at the top and this question folds away.
An electromagnetic device keeps a fire door open. The electromagnet attracts a metal plate on the door. It is connected to a fire alarm circuit: when the alarm sounds, the door is released and closes.
A door holder
(a)
State why the metal plate is made of iron.
(1 mark)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(b)
Describe the construction of an electromagnet.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Tick each marking point your answer makes:
(c)
Describe the changes that allow the electromagnet to release the door when the fire alarm sounds.
(2 marks)
Mark scheme
Any two of these score (max 2):
8
Question 8
Physics only6 marksSkip this one. Electromagnets and the fields of coils (6.9P, 6.10P) are only on the Physics course, so this isn’t in your Double Award score.
Physics only. Double Award students: pick “Double Award” at the top and this question folds away.
(a)
A direct current passes around a flat, circular coil as shown. Sketch (on paper) the magnetic field caused by the current in the coil.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Score 1 each: a straight line through the centre; loops round each side of the wire; consistent directions shown on two or more lines.
(b)
The coil is hung so that it can swing, with an identical coil beside it. With currents as shown the coils move together; when the right-hand current is reversed, they move apart.
Explain why the coils move in this way.
(3 marks)
Mark scheme
Any three of these score (max 3):
⚠️ This is a magnetic force between the coils’ fields, not an electrostatic one.
Your results
0 / 56
| Question | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of | 9 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 56 |
| Your mark | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
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