Why does a compass needle settle pointing one particular way when no magnets are nearby?

Because the Earth has its own magnetic field and the needle lines itself up with it.

What happens to a compass needle when a strong bar magnet is brought close to it?

It turns to line up with the magnet's field, because that field is much stronger than the Earth's field there.

What does a compass tell you about the magnetic field at the place where it is put?

It shows the direction of the magnetic field at that point.

A compass is moved to several places around a bar magnet and points a different way at each. What does this show?

That the direction of the magnetic field changes from one point to another around the magnet.

AQA GCSE Combined Science Physics 8464

Atomic Structure

Topic overview The structure of an atom Mass number, atomic number and isotopes From the plum pudding model to the nuclear model Chadwick, the neutron, and comparing the models Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation Nuclear equations Half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay Radioactive contamination

Electricity

Topic overview Circuit symbols, electrical charge and current Current, resistance and potential difference Ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes and thermistors Light-dependent resistors, and investigating resistance Current and potential difference in series and parallel Constructing circuits, and calculating in series circuits Direct and alternating potential difference, and mains electricity Power and efficiency Appliances, and the energy transferred by electrical work Power, and the power ratings of domestic appliances The National Grid

Energy

Topic overview Energy stores and systems Kinetic energy Elastic and gravitational potential energy Energy changes in systems Power Energy transfers in a system The main energy resources, renewable and non-renewable Environmental impact and trends in energy use

Forces

Topic overview Scalars, vectors, forces and the resultant force Gravity Work done and energy transfer Stretching, compressing, and the spring constant Linear and non-linear extension, and work done on a spring Resolving forces and free body diagrams Distance, displacement and speed The speed of sound, and the distance-speed-time equation Velocity and the distance-time relationship Acceleration, deceleration and velocity-time graphs Area under a velocity-time graph, and the uniform acceleration equation Newton's First Law Newton's Second and Third Laws Stopping distance and reaction time Factors affecting braking distance Braking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quickly Momentum and its conservation

Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Topic overview Poles of a magnet Magnetic fields around a magnet The compass, and plotting a magnetic field Electromagnetism Fleming's left-hand rule and electric motors Transformer power, and using the transformer equations

Particle Model of Matter

Topic overview Density of materials Changes of state and internal energy Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity Changes of state and specific latent heat Particle motion in gases

Waves

Topic overview Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary Types and uses of electromagnetic waves Radio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays

Magnetism and Electromagnetism

The compass, and plotting a magnetic field

3 things to know
Physics Paper 2

Overview

What a compass contains and why it lines up with the Earth's field, plotting the field around a bar magnet, and what the pattern shows about field strength and the Earth's core.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Describe how to use a plotting compass to find the field pattern around a bar magnet.

Key term

What does a magnetic compass contain?

Key term

Which end of a compass needle points towards the Earth's magnetic north?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What does a magnetic compass contain?
Model answer
A small bar magnet that is free to turn.
2
Why does a compass needle settle pointing one particular way when no magnets are nearby?
Model answer
Because the Earth has its own magnetic field and the needle lines itself up with it.
3
Which end of a compass needle points towards the Earth's magnetic north?
Model answer
The north seeking pole of the needle.
4
What happens to a compass needle when a strong bar magnet is brought close to it?
Model answer
It turns to line up with the magnet's field, because that field is much stronger than the Earth's field there.
5
What does a compass tell you about the magnetic field at the place where it is put?
Model answer
It shows the direction of the magnetic field at that point.
6
A compass is moved to several places around a bar magnet and points a different way at each. What does this show?
Model answer
That the direction of the magnetic field changes from one point to another around the magnet.

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