Magnetic and non-magnetic materials, permanent and temporary magnets, induced magnetism, poles and forces, magnetic fields and how to map them with iron filings and a plotting compass.
5 narrated scenes. Press play, listen and read along — the points appear as they are explained. Use ‹ Prev / Next › or the scene bar to jump to any scene.
A compass needle points north because the whole Earth behaves like an enormous bar magnet.
Narration uses your device’s built-in voice. No sound? Switch to “Captions only” — the captions advance on their own.
Rotate the field of a bar magnet and move the plotting compass round it.
Copy these into your notebook in your own words — that is how they stick.
Iron, steel, nickel, cobalt.
Steel, magnadur (hard).
Iron, mumetal (soft).
Like repel; unlike attract; repulsion is the sure test.
The near end of the iron becomes the opposite pole.
A region where a magnetic material experiences a force.
Direction of force on a N pole; N → S outside; closer = stronger.
Iron filings or a plotting compass; neutral point between like poles.
3 quick games on this lesson. Earn XP and badges as you play — your best score for each game is saved. Games are for practice and do not change your exam readiness. More games in the Physics Arcade.
8 items modelled on real CSEC Paper 1 questions. Choose one answer for each, then check. Aim for 80% or better. Work each item on paper first.
Write full answers, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the points you earned (15 marks in total). Show all your working — method marks count. Your answers are saved on this device.
Question 1 [15 marks]
A student has a bar magnet, an iron nail, a steel needle and a plotting compass.
(a) (a) State what is meant by a magnetic field. [1]
(b) (b) Explain why the magnet attracts the iron nail. [3]
(c) (c) State one test that proves that a bar is a magnet rather than just a magnetic material. [2]
(d) (d) State which material, iron or steel, is better for a permanent magnet and one for a temporary magnet. [2]
(e) (e) Describe how to plot a magnetic field line using the plotting compass. [4]
(f) (f) Sketch the field of a bar magnet, showing arrows and the strongest region. [3]
Find these in your own past-paper booklets for extra timed practice. Items above are written in the style of these papers; any adapted from a specific question say so.