Magnets and magnetic fields: OCR GCSE Combined Science A questions

Every OCR GCSE Combined Science A exam question on P3.3 Magnets and magnetic fields, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 71 questions on Magnets and magnetic fields, as a list

June 2025, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q16(a) (1 mark): What type of magnet is the iron bar? [1]
June 2025, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q16(b) (2 marks): Complete this sentence about magnetic fields. Use words from the list. aluminium powder gold leaf iron filings plotting compasses The shape of the magnetic fiel
June 2025, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q16(c) (1 mark): The diagram shows a dipping compass. Describe how dipping compasses are used to find the shape of the Earth’s magnetic field. [1]
June 2025, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q16(d) (2 marks): Scientists think that the Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field. They measured the magnetic field strength at different locations around the Earth, A, B, C, D
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(a) (1 mark): What type of magnet is the iron bar? [1]
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(b) (2 marks): Complete this sentence about magnetic fields. Use words from the list. aluminium powder gold leaf iron filings plotting compasses The shape of the magnetic fiel
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(c) (1 mark): The diagram shows a dipping compass. Describe how dipping compasses are used to find the shape of the Earth’s magnetic field. [1]
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(d) (2 marks): Scientists think that the Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field. They measured the magnetic field strength at different locations around the Earth, A, B, C, D
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q14(a) (1 mark): The battery is connected to the coil of insulated wire by the metal pins. The current is clockwise around the coil of insulated wire and part of the coil is per
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q14(b) (3 marks): The table shows some data about the motor. 1 × 10–6 T Magnetic flux density through the coil Current in the coil 500 mA Perpendicular length of coil wire inside
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q14(c)(i) (1 mark): The current in the original coil was 500 mA. State the current in the new coil. Current = mA [1]
June 2025, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q14(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain whether the new motor turns faster, slower, or at the same speed as the original motor. Consider the force acting on the new coil. [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q11(a)(i) (1 mark): Name this measuring instrument. [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q11(a)(ii) (1 mark): What information does the instrument in Fig. 11.1 give us about the core of the Earth? [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q11(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how you can use iron filings to show the shape of the magnetic field pattern around wire B. [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q11(b)(ii) (3 marks): Draw the shape and direction of the magnetic field pattern around wire B on Fig. 11.2. [3]
June 2024, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q11(c) (2 marks): Solenoids can be used to produce magnetic fields. Fig. 11.3 shows the current and the number of turns of wire in four different solenoids A, B, C and D. Fig. 11
June 2024, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(a) (1 mark): Fig. 15.1 shows a dipping compass. Fig. 15.1 Dip angle (°) In some places, a dipping compass shows a dip angle of 90°. Where could the dipping compass be on Ear
June 2024, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(b)(i) (2 marks): The student uses plotting compasses to show the magnetic field around the electromagnet. Fig. 15.2 shows a diagram of the electromagnet. The circles show the po
June 2024, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(b)(ii) (2 marks): The student uses the electromagnet to pick up some iron nails. Fig. 15.3 shows what happens when the electromagnet is switched on. Fig. 15.3 Soft iron core Insu
June 2024, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain what happens when a current passes through the insulated wire. [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(c)(ii) (3 marks): The magnetic flux density between the poles of the U-shaped magnet is 0.12 T. The length of wire that lies between the poles is 0.04 m. Calculate the force on t
June 2023, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows the magnetic field around a bar magnet. At which point is the magnetic field the weakest? B C A D [1] Your answer
June 2023, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q14 (6 marks): 14* An electromagnet can be made from a coil of wire and a soft iron core. A student investigates how the strength of an electromagnet varies with the number of
June 2023, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Two magnets, X and Y, are placed next to each other. S N N S Magnet X Magnet Y Which row is correct? Magnet X produces a force on Magnet Y produces a force on M
June 2023, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Which diagram explains how a simple d.c. electric motor spins? Force Force A N S Current direction Force B N S Force Current direction Force C N S Force Current
June 2022, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): The diagrams show the magnetic field lines around the bar magnets. S N S N S N N S Which answer is correct? A N poles repel S poles. B The direction of the magn
June 2022, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q13(a) (1 mark): Magnetic fields are produced by currents in wires. Describe how the diagram shows this. [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): A compass needle is made of a magnet containing a north pole and a south pole. The N pole of the compass needle points north on Earth. Which row in the table de
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(a) (1 mark): When Switch S is open, the electronic balance reading is 0.0 g. Explain why. [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why the balance shows a reading when Switch S is closed. [3]
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the reading on the balance if the polarity of the battery is reversed. Answer = g [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(b)(iii) (1 mark): The polarity of the battery is unchanged from (b)(i). State the reading on the balance if the poles of the magnet are reversed. Answer = g [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(c) (3 marks): The experiment is repeated. • When Switch S is closed the force on the wire is 0.004 N. • The ammeter reads 0.8 A. • The length of the wire in the magnetic fiel
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(d)(i) (1 mark): What does the student vary? [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q17(d)(ii) (1 mark): What does the student control? [1]
November 2021, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): This question is about forces. Which diagram shows attraction? N S S N A + + + + + + + + + + + + B S N S N C S N Paper D Your answer [1]
November 2021, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A magnetic field is produced around a current-carrying wire. Eye Wire Cardboard Current A student views the magnetic field from above, as shown by the eye in th
November 2021, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A magnetic field is produced around a current-carrying wire. Eye Wire Cardboard Current A student views the magnetic field from above, as shown by the eye in th
November 2021, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): A current-carrying wire is placed in a magnetic field. 0.04 m Poles A 0.30 A The magnetic flux density between the poles is 0.08 T. Calculate the force acting o
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which action increases the strength of an electromagnet? 1 A Decreasing the current. B Decreasing the number of turns of wire. C Increasing the number of turns
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(a) (2 marks): Fig. 17.1 is a diagram of the magnetic field around a bar magnet. Fig. 17.1 The field lines give information about magnetic forces. State two pieces of informat
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(b) (3 marks): A student has a permanent magnet and three metal blocks marked A, B and C, as shown in Fig. 17.2. N A S C Fig. 17.2 «One block is a permanent magnet. ... «One b
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the relationship shown in the graph in Fig. 17.4 [2]
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): London is approximately 4200km from the North pole. Use the graph in Fig. 17.4 to estimate the dip angle in London. ° [1] Dip angle =
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(c)(iii) (1 mark): The actual value of the dip angle in London is 66°, with an uncertainty of +/- 3°. Is the value you obtained in part (c)(ii) accurate? Explain your answer. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(c)(iv) (1 mark): The dipping compass gives important information about the Earth. Describe what the dipping compass tells us about the Earth. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q17(d) (2 marks): The graph in Fig. 17.5 shows how the magnetic field strength around a straight wire decreases with distance from the wire. 5.0 4.0- 3.0- Magnetic field strength
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(a) (2 marks): Fig. 11.1 is a diagram of the magnetic field around a bar magnet. Fig. 11.1 The field lines give information about magnetic forces. State two pieces of informat
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(b) (3 marks): A student has a permanent magnet and three metal blocks marked A, B and C, as shown in Fig. 11.2. Fig. 11.2 «One block is a permanent magnet. : One block is a p
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the relationship shown in the graph in Fig. 11.4. 12]
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(c)(ii) (1 mark): London is approximately 4200km from the North pole. Use the graph in Fig. 11.4 to estimate the dip angle in London. ° [1] Dip angle =
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(c)(iii) (1 mark): The actual value of the dip angle in London is 66°, with an uncertainty of +/- 3°. Is the value you obtained in part (c)(ii) accurate? Explain your answer. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(c)(iv) (1 mark): The dipping compass gives important information about the Earth. Describe what the dipping compass tells us about the Earth. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q11(d) (2 marks): The graph in Fig. 11.5 shows how the magnetic field strength around a straight wire decreases with distance from the wire. 5.0 4.0- 3.0- Magnetic field strength
June 2019, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): This question is about magnetic forces. Which of the following would cause repulsion? N S S N A N S N S B S N copper C S N iron D Your answer [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q12(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the direction of the magnetic field at X? Draw an arrow on the diagram in Fig. 12.1 to show your answer. [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q12(a)(ii) (1 mark): Where is the magnetic field strongest around the bar magnet? [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q12(b) (1 mark): A compass points towards ‘magnetic north’. What does this tell us about the Earth? [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q12(c)(i) (1 mark): Describe what the student needs to do to create a magnetic field. [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q12(c)(ii) (2 marks): The student changes the number of turns in the coil. He records the number of steel pins that the magnetic field can pick up. Number of turns in coil Number of
June 2019, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q13(a)(i) (1 mark): The student concludes ‘The more turns, the stronger the magnetic field’. Do the results in the table support his conclusion? Explain your answer. [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q13(a)(ii) (1 mark): The electromagnets with 20 and 40 turns pick up the same number of pins. Suggest why the electromagnet with 40 turns is more useful. [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q13(b)(i) (1 mark): Which direction will the coil rotate in Fig. 13.2? State the name of the rule you used to work out your answer. Direction Name of rule [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q13(b)(ii) (4 marks): Fig. 13.3 shows the simple d.c. motor from above. 2.0 cm N S 3.0 cm Coil Current direction Fig. 13.3 In Fig. 13.3 the magnetic field between the poles is unifor
June 2018, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): A solenoid can be used to produce a magnetic field. Which of the following increases the magnetic field strength produced? A Decreasing the current B Decreasing
June 2018, Physics Paper 5 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Four compasses are each placed near to a wire at points A, B, C and D. Each wire has a current flowing through it. The distance of each compass from its wire is
June 2018, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Four compasses are each placed near to a wire at points A, B, C and D. Each wire has a current flowing through it. The distance of each compass from its wire is
June 2018, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(a)(i) (3 marks): Fleming’s left-hand rule is used to show the direction of the force produced when a current flows in a magnetic field. Explain how. [3]
June 2018, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(a)(ii) (3 marks): A simple motor is shown in the diagram. N S Use the diagram to explain how rotation is caused in the motor. [3]
June 2018, Physics Paper 11 Higher, Q15(b) (3 marks): Calculate the magnetic flux density on a 0.5 m long conductor when a current of 0.8 A flows. The force produced is 0.6 N. Answer = T [3]

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