Medium2 marksStructured
Magnetism and electromagnetismMagnetismMagnetic FieldsBar Magnet

AQA GCSE · Question 02.2 · Magnetism and electromagnetism

NS

Figure 1 shows magnetic field lines around a bar magnet. The circles represent plotting compasses. Draw one arrow in each circle on Figure 1 to show the direction of the magnetic field at each place.

How to approach this question

Recall the convention for the direction of magnetic field lines. They point from the North pole to the South pole. A plotting compass needle (which is a tiny magnet) will align itself with the magnetic field lines, with its north pole pointing in the direction of the field. Draw an arrow in each circle that follows this rule.

Full Answer

The arrow in the left circle should point away from the North pole (to the left). The arrow in the right circle should point towards the South pole (to the left).
Magnetic field lines show the direction of the force on a north pole. By convention, they emerge from the North pole and enter the South pole. A plotting compass aligns with these field lines. - At the left circle, the field line is moving away from the North pole, so the arrow should point to the left. - At the right circle, the field line is moving towards the South pole, so the arrow should also point to the left.

Common mistakes

✗ Drawing arrows pointing from South to North.\n✗ Drawing the right-hand arrow pointing to the right, away from the South pole.

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