AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 2

✅ Correct Answer

Cobalt (Tick the box next to cobalt).

💡 Key Knowledge

• Only a few metals are magnetic: Iron, Steel, Cobalt, and Nickel (remember the acronym / key examples).
• Aluminium, copper, and zinc are non-magnetic metals.

❌ Common Errors

Students often confuse non-magnetic transition metals like copper or aluminium with magnetic metals because they are all solid metallic elements.

✅ Correct Answer

Two arrows pointing to the left (one in each circle at either end of the bar magnet).

💡 Key Knowledge

• Magnetic field lines always run from the North (N) pole to the South (S) pole.
• Inside the circles (plotting compasses), the arrow shows the direction that the North pole of a compass would point.

🧠 Exam Technique

Trace the field line coming out of the North pole around to the left—it points left towards the remote region. Similarly, trace the line entering the South pole from the left—it points left into the S pole.

✅ Correct Answer

A (Tick the box next to A).

💡 Key Knowledge

• The magnetic field is strongest where the field lines are closest together.
• This always occurs closest to the magnetic poles (at the ends of the magnet). Letter A is right next to the North pole.

✅ Correct Answer

The third option showing two South poles facing each other: S facing S .

💡 Key Knowledge

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• Like poles repel, creating a "neutral point" or space where field lines push away from each other (as shown by the lines buckling outward in Figure 3).
• Opposite poles attract, causing field lines to bridge straight across from N to S.

✅ Correct Answer

Any valid description involving:

• Switching the current on and off causes the compass needle to move/deflect; OR
• Moving the compass around the wire changes the direction the compass needle points.

🧠 Exam Technique

When describing practical demonstrations in physics, always link the action (e.g., turning current on) to the direct observation (e.g., compass needle deflects). Vague answers like "it shows magnetism" do not score marks.

✅ Correct Answer

Decreases (Tick the box next to decreases).

💡 Key Knowledge

The strength of the magnetic field around a straight current-carrying wire depends directly on the size of the current. Decreasing the current decreases the magnetic field strength.

✅ Correct Answer

It reverses direction (allow "it changes direction" or "it goes clockwise").

💡 Key Knowledge

Reversing the direction of the current through a wire reverses the direction of the magnetic field lines (demonstrated by compass needles pointing the opposite way).