Key term
AQA GCSE Physics 8463
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewThe structure of an atomMass number, atomic number and isotopesFrom the plum pudding model to the nuclear modelChadwick, the neutron, and comparing the modelsRadioactive decay and nuclear radiationNuclear equationsHalf-lives and the random nature of radioactive decayRadioactive contaminationBackground radiationUses of nuclear radiation, and how half-life affects hazardNuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Electricity
Topic overviewCircuit symbols, electrical charge and currentCurrent, resistance and potential differenceOhmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes and thermistorsLight-dependent resistors, and investigating resistanceCurrent and potential difference in series and parallelConstructing circuits, and calculating in series circuitsDirect and alternating potential difference, and mains electricityPower and efficiencyAppliances, and the energy transferred by electrical workPower, and the power ratings of domestic appliancesThe National GridStatic chargeElectric fields
Energy
Forces
Topic overviewScalars, vectors, forces and the resultant forceGravityWork done and energy transferStretching, compressing, and the spring constantLinear and non-linear extension, and work done on a springMoments, levers and gearsPressure at a surface, and the equation p = F over APressure in a column of liquid, upthrust and floatingAtmospheric pressureResolving forces and free body diagramsDistance, displacement and speedThe speed of sound, and the distance-speed-time equationVelocity and the distance-time relationshipAcceleration, deceleration and velocity-time graphsArea under a velocity-time graph, and the uniform acceleration equationNewton's First LawNewton's Second and Third LawsStopping distance and reaction timeFactors affecting braking distanceBraking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quicklyMomentum and its conservationChanges in momentum
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Topic overviewPoles of a magnetMagnetic fields around a magnetThe compass, and plotting a magnetic fieldElectromagnetismFleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakersInduced potentialThe generator effect, alternators, dynamos and microphonesThe structure of a transformer and the turns ratioTransformer power, and using the transformer equations
Particle Model of Matter
Space Physics
Waves
Topic overviewTransverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equationWave properties, and refraction at a boundaryReflection of wavesSound wavesUltrasound, echo sounding and seismic wavesTypes and uses of electromagnetic wavesRadio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma raysLensesVisible lightEmission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodies
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- 9 subtopics
- 27 things to know
- Paper 2
What Magnetism and Electromagnetism covers
Magnetism and Electromagnetism is examined in Physics Paper 2. It covers poles of a magnet, magnetic fields around a magnet, the compass, and plotting a magnetic field, electromagnetism, Fleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakers, induced potential, the generator effect, alternators, dynamos and microphones, the structure of a transformer and the turns ratio and transformer power, and using the transformer equations.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 9 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Poles of a magnetWhere magnetic forces are strongest, attraction and repulsion between poles as a non-contact force felt by both magnets, permanent and induced magnets, why induced magnetism always attracts and is lost outside the field, and testing whether a steel bar is a permanent magnet.Open →
- Magnetic fields around a magnetThe magnetic field and the magnetic materials iron, steel, cobalt and nickel, why copper is not attracted, the attractive force on magnetic materials, how field strength falls with distance and is greatest at the poles, and the direction of field lines from the north pole and why they never cross.Open →
- The compass, and plotting a magnetic fieldWhat 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.Open →
- ElectromagnetismThe magnetic field around a current-carrying wire and what decides its strength, solenoids and why their field is stronger, the field inside and around a solenoid and which end is north, electromagnets with iron cores, showing and describing the field around a straight wire, and electromagnets lifting scrap steel and working relays.Open →
- Fleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakersThe motor effect and the force on the magnet, Fleming's left-hand rule, the factors deciding the force on a conductor, the equation F = BIl with its units and calculations of force and magnetic flux density, why a current-carrying coil turns in an electric motor with a split-ring commutator, and how loudspeakers and headphones use the motor effect.Open →
- Induced potentialThe generator effect and the two ways of inducing a potential difference, when an induced current flows and why its magnetic field opposes the change, the extra effort needed to push a magnet into a coil or turn a dynamo, the factors affecting the induced potential difference, and what reverses its direction.Open →
- The generator effect, alternators, dynamos and microphonesThe alternating current from an alternator and the direct current from a dynamo, the generator effect both rely on and how their construction differs, how each produces its output and the shape of its potential difference against time graph, the effect of turning the coil faster, and how a moving-coil microphone works.Open →
- The structure of a transformer and the turns ratioThe primary coil, secondary coil and iron core of a basic transformer, the job of the core and why a steady direct current will not work, the equation linking potential differences to numbers of turns, step-up and step-down transformers with calculations, and the power equation for a transformer that wastes no energy.Open →
- Transformer power, and using the transformer equationsWhich coil gives the input and output power, why the current falls when the potential difference rises, how the alternating current in one coil induces a current in the other, and calculations for transmission.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Explain how a relay lets a small current switch on a circuit carrying a much larger current.
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Explain how an alternator produces alternating current.
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State the general rule for the force between two magnetic poles brought close together.
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What is a magnetic field?
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Which hand is used for the rule that gives the relative directions of force, current and magnetic field for the motor effect?
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State the two situations that induce a potential difference across a conductor.
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What are the three main parts of a basic transformer?
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Which coil's potential difference and current give the power output of a transformer?
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What is a permanent magnet?
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Name four magnetic materials.
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What does a magnetic compass contain?
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What is produced around a wire when a current flows through it?
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In Fleming's left-hand rule, what does each of the first finger, the second finger and the thumb represent?
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A magnet is pushed into a coil that is part of a complete circuit. Explain why a force resists the push.
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Which effect do both an alternator and a dynamo rely on?
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Which coil of a transformer is connected to the input supply?
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Which coil's potential difference and current give the power input of a transformer?
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What is an induced magnet?
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What kind of force acts between a magnet and a magnetic material such as iron?
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Which end of a compass needle points towards the Earth's magnetic north?
Evaluation
What two things determine the strength of the magnetic field around a straight current-carrying wire?
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State the three factors that decide the size of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
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Explain why a bicycle dynamo makes pedalling harder when it is switched on to power a bright lamp.
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What is the key difference in construction between an alternator and a dynamo?
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Which coil of a transformer delivers the output?
Numbers
A transformer draws a current of 2.0 A from a 230 V supply. Calculate the power input.
Take Magnetism and Electromagnetism further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Permanent magnet vs Induced magnet
Permanent magnet: one that produces its own magnetic field all the time. Induced magnet: A material that only becomes magnetic while inside a field.
Motor effect vs Generator effect
Motor effect: a force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. Generator effect: A potential difference induced in a conductor moving through a magnetic field.
Alternator vs Dynamo
Alternator: a generator with slip rings that produces alternating current. Dynamo: A generator with a split-ring commutator that produces direct current.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Where on a magnet are the magnetic forces strongest?
Model answer
At the poles of the magnet.
- 2
State the general rule for the force between two magnetic poles brought close together.
Model answer
Two like poles repel each other and two unlike poles attract each other.
- 3
The north pole of one bar magnet is held close to the north pole of another. Describe the force between them.
Model answer
They push apart, because two like poles repel each other.
- 4
Why is the attraction between two magnetic poles described as a non-contact force?
Model answer
Because each magnet exerts the force on the other without the two touching.
- 5
When two magnets are brought close together, does only one of them feel a force?
Model answer
No, the two magnets exert a force on each other, so both feel a force.
- 6
What is a permanent magnet?
Model answer
A magnet that produces its own magnetic field all the time.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Magnetism and Electromagnetism revision questions
- What does Magnetism and Electromagnetism cover in AQA GCSE Physics?
- 9 subtopics: poles of a magnet, magnetic fields around a magnet, the compass, and plotting a magnetic field, electromagnetism, fleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakers, induced potential, the generator effect, alternators, dynamos and microphones, the structure of a transformer and the turns ratio and transformer power, and using the transformer equations. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Magnetism and Electromagnetism organised?
- By the AQA 8463 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Magnetism and Electromagnetism, on a schedule.
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