Question 1Multiple choice · 1 mark
Which metal is NOT attracted by a magnet?
- A cobalt
- B copper
- C nickel
- D iron
Show answer
Answer: B
Free Magnetism questions for IGCSE Physics (0625), part of Electricity & magnetism. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Magnetism worksheet →All Electricity & magnetism questionsWhich metal is NOT attracted by a magnet?
Answer: B
Describe the magnetic field around a straight wire carrying a current.
Describe the pattern.
State how the direction of the field can be found.
State what happens to the field when the current is reversed.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | concentric circles concentric circles around the wire B1 closer together near the wire B1 | 2 |
| (b) | right-hand grip rule right-hand grip rule (or plotting compass) B1 | 1 |
| (c) | direction reverses the direction of the field reverses B1 | 1 |
Distinguish between soft and hard magnetic materials.
State the difference, and give an example of each.
State one use of a soft magnetic material.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | soft: easily magnetised and loses it, iron; hard: permanent, steel soft materials are easily magnetised and lose their magnetism easily, e.g. iron B1 hard materials keep their magnetism (permanent magnets), e.g. steel B2 | 3 |
| (b) | core of electromagnet/transformer core of an electromagnet or transformer B1 | 1 |
An electromagnet is made by wrapping a coil of wire around an iron nail.
State two ways to make the electromagnet stronger.
Explain why the core is made of soft iron and not steel.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | more turns; larger current; iron core Any 2 of: more turns on the coil; larger current; use a soft iron core B2 | 2 |
| (b) | easily demagnetised when switched off soft iron is easily magnetised and loses its magnetism when the current is switched off B1 steel would stay magnetised B1 | 2 |
A bar magnet is placed on a sheet of paper.
Describe how to plot the magnetic field lines using a plotting compass.
State the direction of the magnetic field lines outside the magnet.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | mark compass needle positions and join Any 3 of: place the compass near one pole; mark the position of the needle’s ends; move the compass so its tail is at the last mark and repeat; join the dots to form a field line B3 | 3 |
| (b) | north to south from the north pole to the south pole B1 | 1 |
This question is about magnetism.
Describe how to plot the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet using a plotting compass.
State the difference between a permanent magnet and an induced magnet.
State two ways of making an electromagnet stronger.
Describe the magnetic field pattern around a long straight wire carrying a current, and how it changes when the current is reversed.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | place compass near pole, mark needle ends, move compass along, join dots place the compass near one pole and mark the position of each end of the needle B1 move the compass so its tail is at the last mark and repeat B1 join the dots into a line, with an arrow from N to S B1 | 3 |
| (b) | permanent keeps magnetism; induced magnetism only while near a magnet a permanent magnet keeps its magnetism / produces its own field B1 an induced magnet is only magnetised while in a magnetic field B1 | 2 |
| (c) | more turns; larger current more turns on the coil B1 larger current (or use an iron core) B1 | 2 |
| (d) | concentric circles; closer near wire; direction reverses concentric circles around the wire B1 field stronger (lines closer) near the wire B1 reversing the current reverses the direction of the field B1 | 3 |
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in