Answers to Coursebo0k questions
Unit 13 Magnetism
Topic 13.1 Magnets
and magnetic fields
1 Credit any sensible suggestions, such as in toys,
attaching paper notes to a magnetic board or
refrigerator etc.
2 steel
3 a Steel cans are magnetic.
b Aluminium cans are non-magnetic.
4 Mixed cans (aluminium and steel) are carried
on a moving belt past a large magnet. Steel cans
are attracted to it; aluminium cans are not. The
aluminium cans continue on the belt.
Topic 13.2 Magnetic poles
1 In the top diagram, the two magnets are attracting
one another. In the middle and lower diagrams, they
are repelling.
2 a When a north pole is close to a south pole, the
magnets attract each other.
b When a north pole is close to another north pole,
the magnets repel each other.
3 The diagram should be as on page 165 in the
Coursebook, with the left end of the iron rod labelled
as a north pole (N) and the right end labelled as a
south pole (S).
Topic 13.3 Magnetic field
patterns
1 Field is strongest at poles of magnet, where the lines
are closest together.
2 Iron filings form up into lines which have the
same curved shape as the field lines; closest together
near poles.
3 The north pole of a compass needle is attracted to
the Earth’s magnetic North Pole, so there must be a
south pole there (because opposite poles attract).
Copyright Cambridge University Press 2013
Topic 13.4 Making an
electromagnet
1 An electromagnet uses electricity but a permanent
magnet does not; an electromagnet can be switched
on and off, while a permanent magnet cannot.
2 Switch the electric current on and off, or connect/
disconnect the battery or power supply.
3 No; wood is not a magnetic material.
Topic 13.5 A stronger
electromagnet
1 a Mia has changed two variable factors at the same
time (current and number of turns).
b She should change one factor at a time, e.g. use
two different values of current with the same
number of turns.
Topic 13.6 Electric currents make
magnetic fields
1 The diagram should be similar to that on page 172
in the Coursebook, with the regions nearest the north
and south poles labelled ‘strongest field’.
2 a The field lines are circles.
b The field is strongest close to the wire; the field
lines are closest together near the wire.
End of unit questions
13.1 a The North pole. [1]
b The Earth has a magnetic field. [1]
c The compass needle would swing round,
until its north pole pointed north. [2]
Cambridge Checkpoint Science 8 1
 Answers to Coursebo0k questions: Unit 13

13.2a A B
N S N S N S S N

C
N S

N S

b A: attract 13.4 a The paper clip was attracted sideways

B: repel towards the magnet. [1]
C: repel [1] b When an iron sheet was placed between
the magnet and the clip, the clip was no
13.3 a B has more turns of wire than A. [1]
longer attracted. [2]
b C has an iron core but A does not. [1]
c A magnet can attract a steel paper clip
c For example: find out how many paper through air but not through iron. [2]
clips each could hold, hanging end-to-end
d Place a piece of card between the magnet
from one pole. [2]
and the clip, instead of the sheet of iron. [1]

Copyright Cambridge University Press 2013 Cambridge Checkpoint Science 8 2