plumiMagnetic fields: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
Every AQA A-Level Physics exam question on 3.7.5 Magnetic fields, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q06.2
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 06.2: Draw an arrow on Figure 7 to show the direction of this magnetic field. [1 mark]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/74082-jun25-06-2-qp.webp)
Q06.3
The whole paper ↗
![June 2025 Paper 2, question 24: The diagram shows an ac signal displayed on an oscilloscope screen. The time base is set to 5 μs div−1. What is the frequency of the signal? [1 mark] A 34 kHz B](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/74082-jun25-24-qp.webp)
Q01.3
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3A, question 01.3: Determine Vrms, the root mean square voltage of the ac supply. [2 marks] Vrms = V](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/74083a-jun25-01-3-qp.webp)
Q03.1
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Q03.2
The whole paper ↗
![June 2024 Paper 2, question 12: Which change will increase the efficiency of a transformer? [1 mark] A increasing the thickness of the iron layers in the laminated core B decreasing the freque](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/74082-jun24-12-qp.webp)
Q03.1
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 3A, question 03.1: Describe a method to show that the copper rod is horizontal. Your method must include the use of a metre ruler. You may annotate Figure 10. [3 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/74083a-jun24-03-1-qp.webp)
Q03.2
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Q03.4
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 3A, question 03.4: Determine Y. [3 marks] Y = g](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/74083a-jun24-03-4-qp.webp)
Q03.5
The whole paper ↗
All 106 questions on Magnetic fields, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.2 (1 mark): Draw an arrow on Figure 7 to show the direction of this magnetic field. [1 mark]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.3 (3 marks): The ion moves with a speed of 74.2 km s−1 in a circle of radius 4.22 × 108 m. Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic flux density required for this motion. Sta
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): Four identical magnets slide down four ramps P, Q, R and S of the same length and width. The slope of each ramp is the same. The table shows the resistivity and
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A horizontal wire is perpendicular to a horizontal uniform magnetic field of flux density B. The wire has length L and diameter d. The current in the wire is I.
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): A coil rotates at a constant angular speed in a uniform horizontal magnetic field. The diagram shows the instant when the plane of the coil is horizontal. cross
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): A metal block has dimensions 30.0 cm × 10.0 cm × 5.0 cm as shown. The block is moved at a constant horizontal velocity of 5.0 cm s−1 through a uniform vertical
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): A transformer is used to connect an ac power supply to a 100 W filament lamp. When the lamp is operating at its rated power, the power supply has a peak potenti
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): The diagram shows an ac signal displayed on an oscilloscope screen. The time base is set to 5 μs div−1. What is the frequency of the signal? [1 mark] A 34 kHz B
- June 2025, Paper 3A, Q01.3 (2 marks): Determine Vrms, the root mean square voltage of the ac supply. [2 marks] Vrms = V
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q03.1 (3 marks): Figure 5 shows the arrangement. The rod has a length of 2.0 m. Figure 5 The rod is released and falls 8.0 m to the ground. It remains in a horizontal east–west
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q03.2 (4 marks): The rod is returned to its original position. It is now supported by a non-conducting pole that is hinged on the ground as shown in Figure 6. The pole is initia
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): Which change will increase the efficiency of a transformer? [1 mark] A increasing the thickness of the iron layers in the laminated core B decreasing the freque
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q13 (1 mark): A signal generator supplies a sinusoidal root mean square voltage of 7.0 V. The sinusoidal voltage is displayed on an oscilloscope screen. The screen has eight
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): Two signals that have the same frequency are displayed simultaneously on an oscilloscope. The display is shown with the time-base set to 5 ms div−1. Which row s
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): A transmission cable consists of many strands of wire. Electrical energy is transmitted along the cable at a frequency of 50 Hz. Which change gives the largest
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): An electron enters a uniform magnetic field at right angles to the field. The flux density of the field is B. The electron moves with a non-relativistic speed v
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q03.1 (3 marks): Describe a method to show that the copper rod is horizontal. Your method must include the use of a metre ruler. You may annotate Figure 10. [3 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q03.2 (3 marks): When the switch is open, the reading on the balance shows the mass of the yoke and the two magnets. When the switch is closed, the reading on the balance decrea
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q03.4 (3 marks): Determine Y. [3 marks] Y = g
- June 2024, Paper 3A, Q03.5 (3 marks): A student sets up the apparatus with the copper rod positioned incorrectly. Figure 14 shows how the student’s arrangement compares with the correct arrangement.
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A wire is at right angles to a uniform magnetic field and carries an electric current. The wire is 150 mm in length. When the current in the wire is increased b
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): A beam consists of ionised atoms of two isotopes of an element. When the beam enters a uniform magnetic field, the ions move in circular paths. The ions have th
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): The magnetic flux ϕ in a coil varies with time t as shown. Which graph shows how the emf ε induced in the coil varies with t? [1 mark] A B C D
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): The distance between the wing tips of a metal aircraft is 30 m. The aircraft flies horizontally at a steady speed of 100 m s−1. The aircraft passes through a ve
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): A circular coil with a radius of 0.10 m has 200 turns. The coil rotates at 50 revolutions per second about an axis which is perpendicular to a uniform magnetic
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): A transformer for use in a 230 V ac supply is 90% efficient. The transformer provides a current of 3.00 A at 12.0 V. What is the current in the primary coil? [1
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.1 (2 marks): Discuss whether a search coil is a suitable sensor to detect BH. [2 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.2 (2 marks): Determine the percentage change in BH produced by this rotation of the coil. Show your working. [2 marks] percentage change = %
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.3 (3 marks): Figure 9 shows a protractor being used to measure the angle through which the coil is rotated. Figure 9 Estimate the percentage uncertainty in this result. Just
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.4 (2 marks): During experiment 1, BH is measured with the sensor at Q. The sensor is then moved along PR until the value of BH is halved. The distance from Q to the sensor i
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.5 (2 marks): Deduce, in mT, the value of BH in this region. [2 marks] BH = mT
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.6 (2 marks): State two characteristics of the magnetic field lines in this region. [2 marks] 1 2
- June 2023, Paper 3A, Q03.7 (3 marks): In experiment 4, the current in coil 2 is reversed so that the direction of the magnetic field produced by coil 2 is also reversed. The magnitudes of the curren
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q05.1 (3 marks): Explain the functions of the core and the secondary coil. [3 marks] core secondary coil
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q05.2 (3 marks): Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the transformer core. Thin iron sheets are separated by material M. Explain how the efficiency of the transformer is incr
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q05.3 (2 marks): Voltages between 33 kV and 400 kV are used for long-distance transmission. Suggest why engineers have chosen 132 kV for this system. [2 marks]
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q05.4 (3 marks): The industrial consumers use 72 MW of power. Transformers 1 and 2 each have an efficiency of 98% and the transmission line has an efficiency of 94%. Calculate t
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): When an electron moves at a speed v perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field of flux density B, the radius of its path is R. A second electron moves at a speed
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): A horizontal wire of length 0.25 m carrying a current of 3.0 A is perpendicular to a magnetic field. The mass of the wire is 3.0 × 10−3 kg and the weight of the
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): A coil is rotated at frequency f in a uniform magnetic field. The magnetic flux linking the coil is a maximum at time t1 and the emf induced in the coil is a ma
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): Power P is dissipated in a resistor of resistance R carrying a direct current I. A second resistor of resistance 2R carries an alternating current with peak val
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q04.1 (2 marks): The search coil is placed at x = 0.070 m. Show that the magnetic flux linkage through the search coil is about 5 × 10−4 Wb. [2 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): Explain what happens to the value of the emf as the search coil moves. [2 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q04.3 (4 marks): The search coil passes through the position where x = 0.10 m. Deduce whether the emf can exceed 5 mV for values of x greater than 0.10 m. [4 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): Explain why the proton travels in a semicircular path in a dee. [2 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.2 (1 mark): The peak pd of the alternating supply is 10.0 kV. The proton leaves the cyclotron with kinetic energy of 14 MeV. Determine the number of times the proton moves
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.3 (3 marks): Show that Ek is given by 2 2 2 k p 2 e B R E m = [3 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.4 (4 marks): A hospital decides to purchase a cyclotron in order to manufacture its own radioactive isotopes using high-speed protons. The required minimum kinetic energy of
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): A short copper rod R is placed on a pair of thick horizontal parallel copper rails. A horizontal magnetic field exists in the direction shown by the dashed arro
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): The diagram shows a square coil with its plane parallel to a uniform magnetic field. The coil always remains within the magnetic field. There are four possible
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): Mains electricity is rated 230 V in the UK. Which is correct? [1 mark] A The mean voltage is 163 V. B The peak voltage is 230 V. C The root mean square voltage
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): In a resistor of resistance R, a steady current I dissipates a power P. In a resistor of resistance 2 R there is an alternating current of root mean square valu
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): The primary winding of a transformer has 200 turns and the secondary winding has 1600 turns. A root mean square (rms) alternating voltage of 25 V is applied to
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.1 (1 mark): The positive lithium ion A in Figure 3 moves at a speed v. Draw two labelled arrows on Figure 3 to show the directions of the electric force FE and the magnetic
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.2 (2 marks): Lithium ions travelling at 1.5 × 105 m s−1 pass through the small aperture. Calculate E. B = 0.12 T [2 marks] E = V m−1
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.3 (1 mark): Ions that pass through the small aperture enter a second uniform magnetic field of flux density B. Ions of different mass are separated because they follow diff
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.4 (2 marks): The ions of different mass are deflected and strike the detector surface at different distances from the small aperture as shown in Figure 4. A singly-charged l
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): Calculate the rms voltage of the supply. [1 mark] rms voltage = V
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): Determine the y-voltage gain of the oscilloscope used for Figure 7. [1 mark] y-voltage gain = V div−1
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.3 (1 mark): A dc supply gives the same rate of energy dissipation in R as the ac supply in Figure 6. Draw the trace of the output of the dc supply on Figure 7. The oscillos
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.4 (1 mark): The ac supply shown in Figure 6 is replaced with a square-wave generator operating between 0 and +15 V. Figure 8 shows the trace of the new waveform displayed o
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): The diagram shows a current I in a vertical square coil. The coil can rotate about an axis OO’. The plane of the coil is at right angles to a uniform horizontal
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): The diagram shows a small rectangular coil falling between two magnetic poles. The coil is shown at four instants as it passes through the magnetic field. At wh
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): An alternating emf is induced in a coil rotating in a magnetic field. What is the phase difference between the magnetic flux linkage through the coil and the em
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): The diagram shows the variation with time t of the magnetic flux density B of the field linking a coil. Which graph shows the variation of induced emf ε in the
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): A coil P is connected to a cell and a switch. A closed coil Q is parallel to P and is arranged on the same axis. Which describes the force acting on Q after the
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): The maximum flux linkage of the coil during its rotation is 1.5 × 10−3 Wb turns. Calculate the number of turns in the coil. [2 marks] number of turns =
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.2 (1 mark): Calculate the flux linkage of the coil at the instant shown in Figure 4. [1 mark] flux linkage = Wb turns
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.3 (2 marks): The coil forms part of an electrical generator. Figure 5 shows the emf generated by the coil. Figure 5 Calculate the peak value of the emf generated. [2 marks]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q05.4 (1 mark): Sketch on Figure 6 the variation with time of flux linkage for the same time interval as Figure 5. [1 mark] Figure 6
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q13 (1 mark): When an electron is moving at a speed v perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field of flux density B, it follows a path of radius R. A second electron moves at a
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): The plane of coil PQRS is parallel to a uniform magnetic field. When a current I is in the coil [1 mark] A there are no magnetic forces acting on SP and QR. B t
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): A horizontal wire of length 0.50 m and weight 1.0 N is placed in a uniform horizontal magnetic field of flux density 1.5 T directed at 90° to the wire. What is
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): A coil P is connected to a cell and a switch. A second closed coil Q is parallel to P and is arranged on the same axis. When the switch is closed, coil Q experi
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): Three identical magnets P, Q and R are released simultaneously from rest and fall to the ground from the same height. P falls directly to the ground. Q falls th
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q28 (1 mark): A steady current I dissipates power P in a resistor of resistance R. An alternating current through a resistor of resistance 2R has a peak value of I. What is t
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q29 (1 mark): The figure shows an oscilloscope trace of a sinusoidal ac voltage. The time base setting is 5 ms cm–1 and the Y-voltage gain is 10 V cm–1. Which row describes t
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): State Lenz’s law. [1 mark]
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): Lenz’s law can be demonstrated using a bar magnet and a coil of wire connected to a sensitive ammeter as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 The bar magnet is moved tow
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): During the demonstration an induced current is detected by the ammeter. The induced current is in the direction E to F. Explain how this demonstrates Lenz’s law
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q04.4 (2 marks): Figure 7 shows an arrangement for investigating induced emf. Figure 7 As shown, the uniform vertical magnetic field is confined to the gap between the poles of
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q04.5 (2 marks): The square coil is rotated through 360° at a constant angular speed about the horizontal axis shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 Calculate the angular speed of the coi
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): Different magnetic fields are present in the two chambers shown. A particle enters the first chamber at a velocity of 80 m s–1 and is deflected into a circular
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): The diagram shows a clockwise current I in a circular coil placed in a uniform magnetic field B with the plane of the coil perpendicular to the magnetic field.
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q28 (1 mark): A transformer has an efficiency of 80% It has 7000 turns on its primary coil and 175 turns on its secondary coil. When the primary of the transformer is connect
- June 2018, Paper 3A, Q01.2 (3 marks): The student attaches a uniform wire to the upper edge of the ruler, as shown in Figure 3. The ends of the wire are connected to terminal blocks P and Q which ar
- June 2018, Paper 3A, Q01.3 (3 marks): It can be shown that B, the magnitude of the magnetic flux density of the horizontal uniform magnetic field, is given by 3 B L = where = change in force acting
- June 2018, Paper 3A, Q01.5 (2 marks): Figure 6 shows the balance being used to measure the forces between two wires. The connections joining these wires to the power supply are not shown. The pan of
- June 2018, Paper 3A, Q01.6 (5 marks): The vertical force F on wire X due to the magnetic field produced by wire Y is given by 2 kI L F d = where and k is a constant d is the perpendicular distance b
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q02.1 (1 mark): Which of the following correctly describes the direction of the force acting on the wire DE due to the magnetic field when the switch is closed? Tick () the co
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q02.2 (1 mark): Label the poles of the magnets by putting N or S on each of the two dashed lines in Figure 3. [1 mark]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q02.3 (1 mark): Define the tesla. [1 mark]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): The magnets are 5.00 cm long. When the current in the wire is 3.43 A the reading on the electronic balance is 0.620 g. Assume the field is uniform and is zero b
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q03.1 (1 mark): Explain why it is not possible for the magnetic field to alter the speed of a proton while it is in one of the D-shaped regions. [1 mark]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q03.2 (3 marks): Derive an expression to show that the time taken by a proton to travel round one semi-circular path is independent of the radius of the path. [3 marks]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q03.3 (2 marks): The maximum radius of the path followed by the proton is 0.55 m and the magnetic flux density of the uniform field is 0.44 T. Ignore any relativistic effects. C
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): A coil with 20 circular turns each of diameter 60 mm is placed in a uniform magnetic field of flux density 90 mT. Initially the plane of the coil is perpendicul
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): The mean power dissipated in a resistor is 47.5 µW when the root mean square (rms) voltage across the resistor is 150 mV. What is the peak current in the resist
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): The National Grid is used to transfer electrical energy from power stations to consumers. What conditions for the transmission voltage and the transmission curr
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): A mains transformer has a primary coil of 2500 turns and a secondary coil of 130 turns. The primary coil is connected to a mains supply where Vrms is 230 V. The
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q05.1 (4 marks): An ‘Earth inductor’ consists of a 500 turn coil. Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows it set up to measure the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field. When t
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q05.2 (3 marks): Figure 3 shows an arrangement for investigating electromagnetic induction. Figure 3 When the switch is closed there is a current in the coil in circuit X. The c
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): A horizontal straight wire of length 0.30 m carries a current of 2.0 A perpendicular to a horizontal uniform magnetic field of flux density 5.0 × 10−2 T. The wi
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): Charged particles, each of mass m and charge Q, travel at a constant speed in a circle of radius r in a uniform magnetic field of flux density B. Which expressi
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A vertical conducting rod of length l is moved at a constant velocity v through a uniform horizontal magnetic field of flux density B. Which of the rows gives a
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): The graph shows how the flux linkage, NФ, through a coil changes when the coil is moved into a magnetic field. The emf induced in the coil [1 mark] A decreases
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