A steel paper clip is held close to, but not touching, the north pole of a permanent bar magnet. Explain why the paper clip is attracted to the magnet, and state why the paper clip remains magnetised after the bar magnet is removed.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 6.1 Magnetism · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Steel is described as a magnetically hard material, whereas soft iron is described as a magnetically soft material.

Model answer (4 marks)

The steel paper clip is placed in the magnetic field of the bar magnet, so magnetism is induced in it.
The induced magnetism always produces attractive forces, so the paper clip is attracted to the magnet.
Steel is magnetically hard, so it retains its magnetism once the bar magnet is removed.
The paper clip has become a permanent magnet (because steel is magnetically hard), unlike a magnetically soft material which would lose its magnetism quickly.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word ‘induced’ to show understanding of magnetism in the field.
  • Explain that attraction is due to the induced dipole aligning with the external field.
  • Mention that steel is hard and keeps its magnetisation.
  • Keep answers concise and use correct terminology.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. The paper clip is placed in the magnetic field of the bar magnet, so magnetism is induced in it.
  2. Induced magnetism always produces attractive forces, so the paper clip is attracted to the magnet.
  3. Steel is magnetically hard, so it retains / keeps its magnetism once the bar magnet is removed.
  4. The paper clip has become a permanent magnet (because steel is magnetically hard), unlike a magnetically soft material which would lose its magnetism quickly.

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