Simple phenomena of magnetism: past paper questions
Real questions on simple phenomena of magnetism
The newest 20 of 25 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q9a[1]
A student experiments with bar magnets. Figure 9.1 shows the magnetic field around a bar magnet. Figure 9.1 On Figure 9.1, label the N (north) pole and S (south) pole of the bar magnet.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q9b[2]
The student places a bar magnet near to a soft‑iron bar PQ, as shown in Figure 9.2. bar magnet S N P Q soft-iron bar Figure 9.2 Explain why the bar magnet and the soft‑iron bar move towards each other.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[1]
State the effect that a magnetic field has on a magnetic pole.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[2]
On Figure 4.1, draw an arrow in each numbered circle to show the direction in which the compass needles point. Figure 4.2 (b) Figure 4.2 shows an arrow that represents the needle in a plotting compass. The needle points in the direction of the magnetic field.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q7a(i)[1]
Label the N pole (north‑seeking pole) and S pole (south‑seeking pole) of the bar magnet in Figure 7.1.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q7a(ii)[1]
Complete the sentence about magnetic fields. The direction of the magnetic field is the direction of the force on
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q7a(iii)[1]
State the name of the device that is used to determine the direction of the magnetic field.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
A student has six metal bars. The bars are all the same size. Four of the bars are magnets, one is a bar of unmagnetised steel and the other is a bar of copper metal. The student arranges the bars in pairs with a small gap between them as shown in Fig. 7.1. For each pair of bars in Fig. 7.1, state whether a force acts...
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[1]
Describe what is meant by a magnetic field.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2025 · Q11a(i)[1]
State the name of the force that keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6a[1]
Glass is not a magnetic material. State the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[1]
Suggest a suitable material for the magnets in the window cleaner. Explain your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[1]
Label the poles of the magnets in Fig. 6.2.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6d[1]
State how the field lines in Fig. 6.2 show different strengths of the magnetic field between the magnets.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2024 · Q8a[4]
Fig. 8.1 shows a permanent bar magnet. N S Fig. 8.1 Describe an experiment to identify the pattern and directions of the magnetic field lines around the bar magnet. You may draw on Fig. 8.1 as part of your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2024 · Q8b[1]
State the name of a material that is suitable for a permanent magnet.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2024 · Q8c[1]
State one use of a permanent magnet.
See it on the paper → - 0625/22 · October/November 2023 · Q24[1]
Which row shows whether iron and steel are hard or soft magnetic materials?
See it on the paper → - 0625/22 · October/November 2023 · Q28[1]
Which conclusion can be made from this observation?
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2022 · Q6a[2]
On Fig. 6.1, sketch the pattern and the direction of the magnetic field lines between the bar magnets.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates correctly identified the N pole and the S pole on the diagram of a bar magnet. Limited responses • Some candidates thought that the N pole of the bar magnet was where the magnetic field lines entered the bar magnet.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q7(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates were able to state that the direction of a magnetic field line is the direction of the force on a N pole. Limited responses • Some candidates thought that the direction of a magnetic field line is the direction of the force on a magnet.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates correctly identified the device used to determine the direction of the magnetic field as a compass. Limited responses • Some candidates identified the device used to determine the direction of the magnetic field as iron filings. Iron filings can only give the shape of the magnetic field.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q7(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
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