# A steel ball bearing is held near a strong bar magnet but is not touching it. Explain why the ball bearing begins to move towards the magnet, and describe what type of force is responsible for this interaction.

> Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) — 9.1 Forces and their effects · Explain · 4 marks

> A student places a steel ball bearing on a smooth surface approximately 5 cm away from a strong bar magnet. The student releases the ball bearing and observes it accelerating towards the magnet without any physical contact occurring.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The magnet creates a magnetic field around it
2. The ball bearing (as a magnetic material) experiences a force because it is within this magnetic field
3. The force is a non-contact force because there is no physical contact between the ball bearing and the magnet
4. There is a resultant force acting on the ball bearing (towards the magnet), so it accelerates in that direction

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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