Magnets and magnetic materials

About this lab: Magnets and magnetic materials

Test eight everyday objects, drag two bar magnets together to feel attraction and repulsion, and build a chain of paper clips by induced magnetism.

IGCSE Physics 0625, topic 4.1, simulation 1 of 4

Magnets and magnetic materials is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 (topic 4 Electricity and magnetism, section 4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism). The course is assessed in Papers 1 and 2 (multiple choice), 3 and 4 (theory), 5 (practical test) and 6 (alternative to practical). There are 3 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 4.1 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
• 4.1 Describe induced magnetism
• 4.1 State the differences between the properties of temporary magnets (made of soft iron) and the properties of permanent magnets (made of steel)
• 4.1 State the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials
• 4.1 Describe a magnetic field as a region in which a magnetic pole experiences a force
• 4.1 Draw the pattern and direction of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet
• 4.1 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
• 4.1 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
• Lessons on this topic: Magnetic poles, attraction, and repulsion, Temporary (soft iron) vs permanent (steel) magnets, Magnetic fields: drawing field lines and using a compass.

Full syllabus map: IGCSE Physics 0625 topic 4.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Magnetic or not?
2. 2. Poles and forces.
3. 3. Induced magnetism.
4. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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