AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 6

Magnetism, Field Lines & Electromagnets

WHAT THIS QUESTION TESTS

This question assesses core recall and visual understanding from Topic 7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism (AQA Specification 4.7.1 & 4.7.2):

Identifying magnetic elements and alloys.
Distinguishing between permanent, induced, and electromagnets.
Determining the direction of magnetic field lines between opposite poles.
Recognising the concentric circular field pattern around a straight current-carrying wire.
Stating two specific methods to boost the magnetic field strength of a conductor.

QUESTION 06.1

Magnetic Materials Recall

Identifying magnetic elements and alloys [2 Marks]

✅ Correct Choices

Cobalt [1 mark]
Steel [1 mark]

💡 The "Big Four" Magnetic Materials

For GCSE Physics, only four magnetic materials exist in your syllabus:

Iron (element)
Steel (alloy containing mostly iron)
Nickel (element)
Cobalt (element)

❌ Common Misconception: "All metals are magnetic"

Many students incorrectly tick Copper or Zinc simply because they are metals and good electrical conductors. Electrical conductivity does not make a metal magnetic. Copper, aluminium, gold, and zinc are non-magnetic.

Mark breakdown: Exactly 1 mark per correct box ticked. If more than two boxes were ticked, marks are deducted for incorrect selections.

QUESTION 06.2

Permanent vs Induced Magnetism

Classifying iron nails picked up by a magnet [1 Mark]

✅ Completed Sentence

The iron nails become induced magnets. [1 mark]

💡 Key Definitions

Permanent magnet: Produces its own continuous magnetic field (e.g. bar magnet).
Induced magnet: A material that only becomes magnetic when placed inside an external magnetic field. It quickly loses its magnetism once removed.
Electromagnet: A temporary magnet powered by an electric current passing through a coil.

🧠 Exam Technique

The prompt tells you the nails "become magnets when they are attracted to the bar magnet". Because their magnetism is caused by being near another magnet (and not by an electric current or permanently on their own), the correct term is always induced.

Mark breakdown: 1 mark for selecting "induced magnets".

QUESTION 06.3

Direction of Magnetic Field Lines

Determining field direction between adjacent poles [1 Mark]

✅ Correct Arrow

← (pointing left)

Tick the 4th box [1 mark]

💡 Fundamental Field Rule

Magnetic field lines always point from North to South (N → S):

Left magnet: [ N | S ] (South pole faces the gap)
Right magnet: [ N | S ] (North pole faces the gap)
In the gap between them, the field must travel out of the North pole (right magnet) and into the South pole (left magnet).
Therefore, the direction is to the left (←).

❌ Common Mistake

Reading left-to-right instinctively and picking →. Always look directly at the two specific poles adjacent to the gap!

Mark breakdown: 1 mark for selecting the left-pointing arrow.

QUESTION 06.4

Field Pattern Around a Current-Carrying Wire

Identifying the correct concentric circular pattern [1 Mark]

✅ Correct Diagram

Middle diagram: Concentric horizontal circles around the vertical wire [1 mark]

Field lines form complete closed circles centered on the wire perpendicular to the current flow.

🧠 Right-Hand Grip Rule

Point your right thumb in the direction of the conventional current (upwards).
Your curled fingers show the direction of the circular magnetic field lines looping around the wire.
This confirms the field lines form circles around the wire, not vertical loops like a bar magnet, and not radiating straight outward.

Mark breakdown: 1 mark for ticking the middle option (concentric circles around the wire).

QUESTION 06.5

Increasing Magnetic Field Strength

Two modifications to make the magnetic field stronger [2 Marks]

✅ Awarded Answers (Any two)

Increase the current (or increase potential difference / voltage) [1 mark]
Shape the wire into a solenoid (or coil the wire / add more turns) [1 mark]

📐 Field Strength Relationship

The magnetic field strength (B) around a long straight wire is proportional to:

Current ( I ): larger current = stronger field.
Proximity: field is strongest closest to the wire and weakens with distance ( B ∝ 1/r ).
Coiling: turning the wire into a coil/solenoid concentrates the magnetic field inside the core.

❌ Examiner Warning: Loss of Marks

Vague answers: Writing "more electricity" or "more power" does not gain marks. Specify current or potential difference / voltage.
Adding an iron core alone: If the wire is just a straight wire, you cannot easily insert an iron core unless you have first shaped it into a solenoid. Always mention making it a solenoid or coiling the wire first.

Mark breakdown: 1 mark for increasing current; 1 mark for coiling wire / making a solenoid.