GCSE Physics revision

Poles of a magnet

Permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields

AQA 4.7.1.1

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AQA student objectives

Learning pathway

ALL 🎯

Describe the attraction and repulsion between unlike and like poles for permanent magnets and the difference between permanent and induced magnets.

MOST 🎯🎯

Apply the scientific explanation of poles of a magnet to a relevant example.

SOME 🎯🎯🎯

Analyse a new situation involving poles of a magnet and explain the scientific reasoning.

Revision summary

Read on screen, then print for Cornell-style active revision.

Like poles (e.g.
North–North or South–South) will repel each other, causing the magnets to push apart.
Unlike poles (e.g.
North–South) will attract each other, causing the magnets to pull together and join.
Remembering the rule 'like poles repel, unlike poles attract' is essential, as it is frequently tested in GCSE exams.

1. Like and Unlike PolesAQA

Like poles (e.g.
North–North or South–South) will repel each other, causing the magnets to push apart.
Unlike poles (e.g.
North–South) will attract each other, causing the magnets to pull together and join.
Remembering the rule 'like poles repel, unlike poles attract' is essential, as it is frequently tested in GCSE exams.

Magnetic forces are described as non-contact forces because the objects do not need to physically touch for the force to act.
Magnetic attraction and repulsion are similar in nature to the non-contact forces seen with electrical charges.

Permanent magnets always show magnetism and continuously produce their own magnetic field without needing an external field.
Permanent magnets are capable of both attraction and repulsion depending on which poles are brought close together.

Induced magnets only become magnetic when they are placed inside a magnetic field; they do not produce their own magnetic field.
Induced magnets only experience the force of attraction, meaning they attract nearby magnetic materials.
When an induced magnet is removed from a magnetic field, it quickly loses most or all of its magnetism.

4. Induced MagnetsAQA

Induced magnets only become magnetic when they are placed inside a magnetic field; they do not produce their own magnetic field.
Induced magnets only experience the force of attraction, meaning they attract nearby magnetic materials.
When an induced magnet is removed from a magnetic field, it quickly loses most or all of its magnetism.

Permanent magnets are always magnetic, whereas induced magnets are only magnetic whilst inside a magnetic field.
Permanent magnets can both attract and repel, whereas induced magnets can only attract other magnetic materials.
Only permanent magnets are capable of producing their own magnetic field; induced magnets cannot.

5. Comparing Permanent and Induced MagnetsAQA

Permanent magnets are always magnetic, whereas induced magnets are only magnetic whilst inside a magnetic field.
Permanent magnets can both attract and repel, whereas induced magnets can only attract other magnetic materials.
Only permanent magnets are capable of producing their own magnetic field; induced magnets cannot.

A magnetic field is the region around a magnet where magnetic forces can be experienced by other magnetic materials.
A magnetic force is the push or pull exerted by a magnet on another magnetic object or pole within its magnetic field.