Topic 12: Magnetism and the motor effect – GCSE Edexcel Foundation Combined Science Physics revision notes

Magnetism, magnetic fields and the motor effect. 5 lessons in 1 subtopic.

Aluminium is not magnetic, and neither is copper, even though they are metals. The Introduction to Magnetic Fields notes cover this in full.

Copper is not magnetic, even though it is a metal; only iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic materials. The Introduction to Magnetic Fields notes cover this in full.

A compass contains a magnetised steel needle, a small bar magnet, that can rotate freely on a pivot. The Earth's Magnetic Field and Compasses notes cover this in full.

A magnetic field is the region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic material: iron, steel, cobalt and nickel. The Introduction to Magnetic Fields notes cover this in full.

A permanent magnet is a material that produces its own magnetic field without needing an external magnetic field, and its magnetism lasts indefinitely under normal conditions. The Permanent vs. Induced Magnets notes cover this in full.

An induced magnet is a material that becomes magnetic only when placed in a magnetic field. The Permanent vs. Induced Magnets notes cover this in full.

Draw the magnet with N and S labelled, then smooth curved lines that emerge from the north pole and enter the south pole, closest together at the pole faces. The Plotting Magnetic Field Patterns notes cover this in full.

Iron filings sprinkled around a bar magnet show its magnetic field: they cluster densely at the poles, where the field is strongest, and far fewer gather near the middle of the magnet. The Introduction to Magnetic Fields notes cover this in full.