AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 4
10 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify magnetic poles, calculate the range and mean of attraction distances, identify error types, and draw magnetic field lines using plotting compasses.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
04 A student uses a special pen to write notes on an electronic tablet.
There is a bar magnet inside the pen and a bar magnet inside the tablet.
Figure 9 shows the pen and tablet being held together by the magnets.
Figure 9
04.1 The bar magnets in the tablet and pen attract each other.
What name is given to pole X and to pole Y in Figure 9?
Give the reason for your answer.
[2 marks]
Pole X
Pole Y
Reason
A student investigated the maximum distance from where the pen moves back to
the tablet.
This is the method used.
1. Place the edge of the tablet at 0 cm on a ruler.
2. Place the pen 0.5 cm away from the tablet.
3. Release the pen.
4. If the pen moves to the tablet, repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 using a greater distance.
5. Record the greatest distance from where the pen moves back to the tablet.
Figure 10 shows the apparatus.
Figure 10
The student repeated the investigation.
The distances recorded by the student were:
4.0 cm 3.5 cm 4.0 cm 3.5 cm 4.5 cm
04.2 What was the range of distances recorded by the student?
[1 mark]
Range = from to cm
04.3 Calculate the mean of the distances recorded by the student.
[2 marks]
Mean distance = cm
04.4 Complete the sentence.
Choose the answer from the box.
[1 mark]
random errors systematic errors zero errors
Repeating and calculating a mean reduces the effect
of 20 .
04.5 Describe how the size of the magnetic force on the pen changed as the pen was
moved away from the tablet.
[1 mark]
04.6 What material could the magnet in the pen be made of?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Aluminium
Copper
Steel
Zinc 21
04.7 The student used four plotting compasses to show the magnetic field pattern around
the pen.
Figure 11 shows the pen and the outline of the plotting compasses.
Figure 11
Draw one arrow inside each compass on Figure 11 to show which direction the
compass needle points.
One arrow has been drawn for you.
[2 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 4
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.1 pole X south allow X is S 1 AO3
and
pole Y north allow Y is N
opposite poles attract MP2 dependent on MP1 1 AO1
or 6.7.1.1
a north pole and a south pole
attract
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.2 from 3.5 to 4.5 cm either order 1 AO3
6.7.1.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.3 4.0 + 3.5 + 4.0 + 3.5 + 4.5 19.5 1 AO2
allow
55 6.7.1.2
3.9 (cm) 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.4 random errors 1 AO1
6.7.1.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.5 (the magnetic force) decreased 1 AO1
– – 8464/P/2F – 6.7.1.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.6 steel 1 AO1
6.7.1.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.7 arrow in circle next to south pole 1 AO3
pointing upwards 6.7.1.2
arrows in circles next to the 1
middle of pen pointing
downwards
Total Question 4 10
How to answer it
Magnetism, Fields, and Practical Data Analysis
What this question tests
This question assesses fundamental concepts of magnetism and working scientifically:
- Magnetic poles & interactions: Applying the rule that opposite poles attract and like poles repel.
- Experimental data handling: Identifying the range of experimental data and calculating the mean.
- Types of experimental errors: Understanding how repeating measurements reduces the effect of random errors.
- Magnetic forces and materials: Relationship between force and distance, and recalling common magnetic elements/alloys.
- Magnetic field lines: Using plotting compasses to trace field direction from North to South.
Identifying Magnetic Poles and Explaining Attraction
A tablet and pen are held together by magnets. Determine poles X and Y.
✅ Correct Answer
Pole X: South (or S)
Pole Y: North (or N)
Reason: Opposite poles attract (or a north pole and a south pole attract).
💡 Key Knowledge
- Like poles repel ( N-N or S-S ).
- Unlike / opposite poles attract ( N-S or S-N ).
- The pen's top is North, so the tablet magnet's adjacent pole (X) must be South to attract it.
Finding the Range of Experimental Data
Data recorded: 4.0 cm, 3.5 cm, 4.0 cm, 3.5 cm, 4.5 cm
✅ Correct Answer
Range = from 3.5 to 4.5 cm
(Acceptable in either order: from 4.5 to 3.5 cm)
🧠 Exam Technique
In AQA GCSE science, when asked for the range of data on a line stating "from ___ to ___", quote the minimum and maximum values recorded. Do not subtract them unless specifically asked for the "range value" as a single number.
Calculating the Mean Distance
Calculate the mean of: 4.0, 3.5, 4.0, 3.5, 4.5 cm
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
Total = 4.0 + 3.5 + 4.0 + 3.5 + 4.5 = 19.5
Mean = 19.5 ÷ 5 = 3.9 cm
Mean distance = 3.9 cm
❌ Common Errors
- Omitting values: Make sure you count all 5 values; students sometimes divide by 3 or 4 by mistake.
- BIDMAS error on calculator: Typing 4.0 + 3.5 + 4.0 + 3.5 + 4.5 ÷ 5 into a calculator will only divide the last number. Press = before dividing!
Experimental Errors in Investigations
Completing the sentence about the effect of calculating a mean
✅ Correct Answer
"Repeating and calculating a mean reduces the effect of random errors."
💡 Key Knowledge
- Random errors: Unpredictable variations caused by human reaction time, judging measurements, or slight positioning differences. Repeating and taking a mean reduces their effect.
- Systematic errors: Consistent shifts in the same direction every time (e.g., zero error on a ruler or balance). Taking a mean never fixes systematic errors.
Magnetic Force vs Distance
Describe how the magnetic force changed as the pen moved away
✅ Correct Answer
The magnetic force decreased (or got weaker / smaller).
🧠 Exam Technique
Describe questions only require you to state what happens, not why. A single word ("decreased") is sufficient to secure full marks.
Identifying Magnetic Materials
Which material could the permanent magnet be made of?
✅ Correct Answer
Tick the box for: Steel
- ☐ Aluminium
- ☐ Copper
- ☑ Steel
- ☐ Zinc
💡 Key Knowledge
- The 4 common magnetic metals you must memorise for GCSE are: Iron, Steel, Nickel, and Cobalt.
- Steel is an alloy of iron and retains its magnetism well, making it ideal for permanent magnets.
- Aluminium, copper, and zinc are non-magnetic metals.
Magnetic Field Directions and Plotting Compasses
Draw arrows in the three remaining plotting compasses
✅ Correct Answer
- Bottom compass (below South pole): Arrow points UPWARDS (↑) towards the South pole.
- Left compass (beside pen): Arrow points DOWNWARDS (↓).
- Right compass (beside pen): Arrow points DOWNWARDS (↓).
💡 Field Direction Rule
Magnetic field lines always go from NORTH to SOUTH:
- They emerge away from the North pole (hence the top compass points UP ↑).
- They travel down along the sides towards the South (side compasses point DOWN ↓).
- They enter directly into the South pole (bottom compass points UP ↑ into South).
❌ Common Trap in Compass Questions
Many students incorrectly draw the bottom compass pointing downwards (away from South), assuming it should mirror the top compass pointing outwards. Remember: compass needles point in the direction of the field, which must point INTO the South pole.
Topics
Physics · P7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.