Magnets: why do some things stick to a magnet and others do not?: question bank

Q1

FoundationCore practice

A child tests four objects with a bar magnet: an iron nail, a copper coin, aluminium foil, and a wooden pencil. Which object is most likely to stick to the magnet?

Iron nailCopper coinAluminium foilWooden pencil

Q2

FoundationCore practice

What happens when the north pole of one bar magnet is brought close to the north pole of another bar magnet?

They attract stronglyThey repel each otherThey neither attract nor repelThey stick only if one magnet is bigger

Q3

FoundationCore practice

How many poles does a bar magnet have?

Your answer

Q4

FoundationCore practice

Name one metal that is NOT attracted to a magnet.

Your answer

Q5

FoundationCore practice

A freely suspended bar magnet is allowed to turn. In which direction does it finally come to rest?

East-westNorth-southUp-downAny direction

Q6

FoundationCore practice

In an activity, iron filings are sprinkled around a bar magnet. What do the curved lines of iron filings show?

The colour of the magnetThe magnetic field around the magnetThe weight of the magnetThat iron filings are wet

Q7

FoundationStretch

Ravi says: "A bigger magnet is always stronger than a smaller magnet." Is this statement correct?

Yes, size is the only thing that decides strengthNo, strength depends on material and how it is magnetised, not only sizeYes, all big magnets are equally strongNo, smaller magnets can never be strong

Q8

FoundationStretch

A coil of copper wire is connected to a battery. Iron pins are placed near the coil. What is likely to happen when the current is switched on?

The coil repels all metalsThe coil behaves like a magnet and attracts the iron pinsNothing happens because copper is not magneticThe battery becomes a permanent magnet

Q9

FoundationCore practice

A child breaks a bar magnet into two pieces. Which statement about the two pieces is true?

Each piece has one pole only: one piece is north, the other is south.Each piece has both a north and a south pole.Each piece has no poles because the magnet lost its magnetism.Both pieces have only south poles.

Q10

FoundationCore practice

A child has a bar magnet with N and S marked. She brings the N pole close to each end of an unmarked iron rod. Both ends of the rod are attracted to the N pole. What does this show?

The rod is a magnet with a south pole at both ends.The rod is made of iron but is not a magnet.The rod is a magnet with a north pole at both ends.The rod must be made of copper.

Q11

FoundationCore practice

Which group contains only magnetic materials?

Iron, nickel, cobaltIron, copper, aluminiumSteel, wood, plasticNickel, brass, glass

Q12

FoundationCore practice

The end of a compass needle that points towards Earth's geographic north is called what?

Your answer

Q13

FoundationCore practice

A compass needle points north-south. Which statement best explains this?

The Sun's heat pushes the needle north.Earth acts like a giant magnet.The needle is attracted by strong winds.Gravity pulls the needle towards the north.

Q14

FoundationCore practice

A fridge magnet sticks to a steel refrigerator door but not to a wooden cupboard door. Which statement is the best explanation?

Magnets attract all materials equally.Steel is a magnetic material, but wood is not.Wood repels the magnet.The magnet is broken because it cannot stick to wood.

Q15

CoreCore practice

A bar magnet is brought near four objects: an iron nail, a plastic ruler, a copper wire and an aluminium foil. Which object will stick to the magnet?

Iron nailPlastic rulerCopper wireAluminium foil

All 52 questions