4.1

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625)  · Unit 4: Electricity and magnetism  · 22 flashcards

Simple phenomena of magnetism is topic 4.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) syllabus , positioned in Unit 4 — Electricity and magnetism , alongside Electric charge, Electric current and Electromotive force and potential difference.  In one line: 1. Soft iron is easily magnetised and demagnetised, while steel is harder to magnetise but retains its magnetism for longer.
2. Soft iron forms a temporary magnet, whereas steel forms a permanent magnet
.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 show this topic across undefined questions worth 147 marks (around 2.3% of all Physics marks in those years).

The deck below contains 22 flashcards — 4 definitions — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 4 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

State two differences between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel

1. Soft iron is easily magnetised and demagnetised, while steel is harder to magnetise but retains its magnetism for longer.
2. Soft iron forms a temporary magnet, whereas steel forms a permanent magnet.

What the Cambridge 0625 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe the forces between magnetic poles and between magnets and magnetic materials, including the use of the terms north pole (N pole), south pole (S pole), attraction and repulsion, magnetised and unmagnetised
  2. Describe Describe induced magnetism
  3. State State the differences between the properties of temporary magnets (made of soft iron) and the properties of permanent magnets (made of steel
  4. State State the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials
  5. Describe Describe a magnetic field as a region in which a magnetic pole experiences a force
  6. Draw Draw the pattern and direction of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet
  7. State State that the direction of a magnetic field at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that point
  8. Describe Describe the plotting of magnetic field lines with a compass or iron filings and the use of a compass to determine the direction of the magnetic field
  9. Describe Describe the uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets
  10. Explain Explain that magnetic forces are due to interactions between magnetic fields Supplement
  11. Know Know that the relative strength of a magnetic field is represented by the spacing of the magnetic field lines Supplement
Key Concept Flip

Describe the interactions between the following: (a) Two north poles. (b) A north pole and a south pole. (c) A magnet and an unmagnetised piece of iron.

Answer Flip

(a) Two north poles repel each other.
(b) A north pole and a south pole attract each other.
(c) A magnet and an unmagnetised piece of iron attract each other. The magnet induces magnetism in the iron, creating a temporary opposite pole closest to the magnet, leading to attraction.

Key Concept Flip

State whether the following statements are true or false: (a) Like magnetic poles attract each other. (b) Unlike magnetic poles repel each other. (c) Magnets can only attract other magnets.

Answer Flip

(a) False. Like poles repel.
(b) False. Unlike poles attract.
(c) False. Magnets can attract magnetic materials like iron, steel, nickel and cobalt.

Key Concept Flip

Describe the process of induced magnetism when an unmagnetized iron nail is brought close to a strong permanent magnet.

Answer Flip

When an unmagnetized iron nail is brought close to a strong permanent magnet, the magnetic domains within the nail align with the magnetic field of the magnet. This alignment causes the nail to become magnetized, with the end closest to the magnet developing the opposite polarity. This effect is temporary; the nail loses its magnetism when the permanent magnet is removed. The nail is temporarily magnetised.

Key Concept Flip

State two materials that can be easily induced into becoming temporary magnets.

Answer Flip

1. Iron
2. Steel (while it can be magnetized more permanently, it does exhibit induced magnetism)

Definition Flip

State two differences between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel.

Answer Flip

1. Soft iron is easily magnetised and demagnetised, while steel is harder to magnetise but retains its magnetism for longer.
2. Soft iron forms a temporary magnet, whereas steel forms a permanent magnet.

Key Concept Flip

Describe what happens to the magnetic strength of a soft iron bar and a steel bar when a strong external magnetic field is removed. Explain the difference.

Answer Flip

When the external magnetic field is removed:
* Soft iron: Loses almost all of its magnetism very quickly. The domains within the iron return to a random arrangement easily.
* Steel: Retains a significant portion of its magnetism. The domains within the steel are more resistant to returning to a random arrangement, resulting in a permanent magnet.

Definition Flip

Define the difference between a magnetic and a non-magnetic material.

Answer Flip

A magnetic material is attracted to a magnet and can be magnetised (become a magnet itself). A non-magnetic material is not attracted to a magnet and cannot be easily magnetised. The key difference lies in their interaction with magnetic fields and their ability to become magnetized.

Key Concept Flip

State three examples each of magnetic and non-magnetic materials.

Answer Flip

Magnetic: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.
Non-Magnetic: Wood, Plastic, Aluminium. Magnetic materials are typically ferromagnetic elements, while non-magnetic materials do not exhibit this property.

Definition Flip

Describe a magnetic field.

Answer Flip

A magnetic field is a region of space where a magnetic pole experiences a force. This force can be attractive or repulsive, depending on the polarity of the pole and the orientation of the magnetic field.

Key Concept Flip

A small compass needle is placed near a bar magnet. Explain why the compass needle aligns with the magnetic field lines produced by the bar magnet.

Answer Flip

The compass needle is itself a small magnet. When placed in a magnetic field (like the one surrounding the bar magnet), it experiences a force. This force causes the compass needle to rotate until it aligns with the direction of the magnetic field lines at that point, minimizing the potential energy.

Key Concept Flip

Draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet, indicating the direction of the field lines.

Answer Flip

A drawing should show closed loops emerging from the North pole and entering the South pole of the bar magnet. The field lines should be more concentrated near the poles, indicating a stronger magnetic field. Arrows on the field lines should point from North to South.

Key Concept Flip

Describe how you could use a plotting compass to map the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.

Answer Flip

1. Place the bar magnet on a piece of paper.
2. Place the plotting compass near one pole of the magnet.
3. Mark the direction of the compass needle with two dots.
4. Move the compass so the tail of the needle is on the previous dot and mark the new position of the compass needle with another dot.
5. Repeat step 4 multiple times to create a chain of dots.
6. Connect the dots to draw a magnetic field line.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 at different locations around the magnet to map the field pattern.

Definition Flip

State the definition of the direction of a magnetic field at a specific point.

Answer Flip

The direction of the magnetic field at a point is defined as the direction of the force exerted on the North pole of a magnet placed at that point. This is a convention used to describe the direction of the magnetic field.

Key Concept Flip

A small compass is placed near a bar magnet. Explain how the orientation of the compass needle relates to the direction of the magnetic field at the compass's location.

Answer Flip

The North pole of the compass needle will align itself with the direction of the magnetic field at its location. Therefore, the compass needle points in the direction of the force that would act on a North pole placed at that point, effectively mapping the magnetic field lines.

Key Concept Flip

Describe how you would use a compass to determine the direction of a magnetic field at a specific point.

Answer Flip

1. Place the compass at the point where you want to determine the field direction.
2. Allow the compass needle to settle.
3. The north pole of the compass needle will point in the direction of the magnetic field at that point. This is because the compass needle aligns itself with the magnetic field lines.

Key Concept Flip

State how iron filings can be used to visualise magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.

Answer Flip

Sprinkle iron filings evenly onto a sheet of paper or plastic placed over the bar magnet. Gently tap the sheet. The iron filings will align themselves along the magnetic field lines, showing the shape and direction of the field. The filings concentrate where the field is strongest (near the poles).

Key Concept Flip

Describe three uses of permanent magnets.

Answer Flip

1. Refrigerator Magnets: Holding notes and decorations onto metallic surfaces.
2. Compass Needles: Aligning with the Earth's magnetic field to indicate direction.
3. Loudspeakers: Interacting with electromagnets to produce sound.
(Each correct use = 1 mark)

Key Concept Flip

State three uses of electromagnets.

Answer Flip

1. Electric Bells: To strike a bell when the circuit is closed.
2. Cranes in scrap yards: Lifting heavy ferrous materials.
3. Relays: Acting as a switch to control another circuit.
(Each correct use = 1 mark)

Key Concept Flip

Two bar magnets are placed near each other. Explain why they might attract or repel each other.

Answer Flip

Magnetic forces arise from the interaction of their magnetic fields. If opposite poles (N and S) face each other, their magnetic field lines link, resulting in an attractive force. If like poles (N and N, or S and S) face each other, their magnetic field lines are distorted, resulting in a repulsive force.

Key Concept Flip

Two parallel wires carry electric currents in opposite directions. Describe the interaction between the wires in terms of magnetic fields.

Answer Flip

Each wire creates a circular magnetic field around itself. Since the currents are in opposite directions, the magnetic fields between the wires point in opposite directions. This interaction of the magnetic fields results in a repulsive force between the wires. Specifically, the field of one wire exerts a force on the current in the other wire, pushing them apart.

Key Concept Flip

Explain how the spacing of magnetic field lines indicates the relative strength of a magnetic field.

Answer Flip

The closer the magnetic field lines are to each other, the stronger the magnetic field. Conversely, the farther apart the field lines are, the weaker the magnetic field. A higher density of field lines indicates a stronger magnetic force.

Key Concept Flip

Describe the magnetic field strength at two points: Point A where magnetic field lines are very close together and Point B where magnetic field lines are spread far apart.

Answer Flip

The magnetic field strength is stronger at Point A because the magnetic field lines are closer together. The magnetic field strength is weaker at Point B because the magnetic field lines are spread further apart. A denser concentration of field lines means a stronger field.

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Key Questions: Simple phenomena of magnetism

State two differences between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel.

1. Soft iron is easily magnetised and demagnetised, while steel is harder to magnetise but retains its magnetism for longer.
2. Soft iron forms a temporary magnet, whereas steel forms a permanent magnet.

Define the difference between a magnetic and a non-magnetic material.

A magnetic material is attracted to a magnet and can be magnetised (become a magnet itself). A non-magnetic material is not attracted to a magnet and cannot be easily magnetised. The key difference lies in their interaction with magnetic fields and their ability to become magnetized.

Describe a magnetic field.

A magnetic field is a region of space where a magnetic pole experiences a force. This force can be attractive or repulsive, depending on the polarity of the pole and the orientation of the magnetic field.

State the definition of the direction of a magnetic field at a specific point.

The direction of the magnetic field at a point is defined as the direction of the force exerted on the North pole of a magnet placed at that point. This is a convention used to describe the direction of the magnetic field.

Tips to avoid common mistakes in Simple phenomena of magnetism

More topics in Unit 4 — Electricity and magnetism

Simple phenomena of magnetism sits alongside these Physics decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0625 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

magnet magnetic pole north south magnetic field field lines induced magnetism permanent magnet temporary magnet hard magnetic soft magnetic iron steel plotting compass

Key terms covered in this Simple phenomena of magnetism deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

Two differences between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
The difference between a magnetic and a non-magnetic material
Describe a magnetic field
The direction of a magnetic field at a specific point

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