iGCSE Magnetism & Electromagnetism

Question 1

magnetism

Answer 1

the ability of magnets to attract and repel other magnets without touching them

Question 2

the only pure metals that can be turned into a magnet are…

Answer 2

iron, nickel, cobalt

Question 3

properties of magnetic materials

Answer 3

1. they don’t always act as magnets (e.g. normal piece of Fe won’t attract/repel another piece)
2. they are attracted to a magnet if they are close enough to it
3. they can be attracted by a magnet but can’t be repelled by one
4. only two magnets can repel each other
5. non-magnetic materials will never be attracted to magnets
6. permanent magnets are always magnetic even when they aren’t near other ones: they produce their own magnetic field

Question 4

iron is a ____ magnet

Answer 4

soft

Question 5

steel is a ____ magnet

Answer 5

hard

Question 6

what is meant by magnetically soft?

Answer 6

it can be magnetised but loses its magnetism as soon as it’s removed from the field

Question 7

what is meant by magnetically hard?

Answer 7

once it’s been magnetised (made into a magnet), it keeps its magnetism after it’s been removed from the field