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P4 General Studies: Magnetism and the Compass (Paper 1 (basics))
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P4 General Studies: Magnetism and the Compass (Paper 1 (basics))
Paper one starts from poles, magnetic materials and the compass, with sums on pole counts and percentage points.
Direct answers Ask three things first: is it a magnetic material, are the poles alike, and how far away is the magnet.
01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 |
| Suggested time | 20 |
| Difficulty mix | Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter: P4 General Studies: Magnetism and the Compass |
| Level | parts of a closed circuit, conductors against insulators, series against parallel, adding up battery voltage, and electrical safety |
02 Questions (10 items)
- FoundationWhat are the two ends of a magnet called?
- FoundationHow do two like poles act on each other?
- FoundationWhich way does the red end of a compass needle point at rest?
- IntermediateWhich materials are attracted by a magnet?
- IntermediateA magnet picks up iron nails through a sheet of paper. What does this show?
- IntermediateA bar magnet is cut into two pieces. How many poles do the two pieces have altogether?
- ChallengeHow many poles do 4 bar magnets have altogether?
- ChallengeIn 8 compass tests at recess, 6 pointed north. What proportion is that, in percentage points?
- ChallengeA magnet holds 12 iron nails and 5 are taken away. What proportion is left, in percentage points?
- Error redoError clinic: a magnet attracts every metal. True?
03 Answers and one-line notes
| # | Answer | One-line note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnetic poles, namely the north pole and the south pole. | The poles are where the magnetic force is strongest; the middle of the magnet is weakest. |
| 2 | They repel each other. | Like poles repel and unlike poles attract, which lets a compass needle turn freely. |
| 3 | North. | The needle follows the Earth magnetic field and settles roughly north to south. |
| 4 | Magnetic materials such as iron, cobalt and nickel. | Copper, aluminium, plastic and wood are not attracted, so colour or hardness cannot tell you. |
| 5 | Magnetic force can pass through non-magnetic materials such as paper. | Paper, wood and glass do not block magnetism, but a thick iron plate diverts the field and shields it. |
| 6 | 4 poles. | Each cut face forms new north and south poles, so 2 pieces have 4 poles. |
| 7 | 8 poles. | Each magnet has a north and a south pole, so 4 magnets give 8 poles. |
| 8 | 75.0 percentage points. | Divide 6 by 8 and multiply by 100 to get 75.0 percentage points. |
| 9 | 58.3 percentage points. | Seven nails remain; 7 divided by 12 times 100 gives 58.3 percentage points. |
| 10 | No. | Only magnetic materials such as iron, cobalt and nickel are attracted; copper, aluminium, gold and silver are not. |
04 What to do after marking
- After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
- Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
- Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.
After paper one, take paper two and sort out series against parallel in one pass.Tutor Registration →
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