# A student places a steel nail and a soft iron nail next to a bar magnet. After removing the bar magnet, the student tests each nail with small iron filings. Explain the difference in behaviour of the two nails after the bar magnet is removed, using your knowledge of magnetic materials.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 4.4 Magnetic fields · Explain · 5 marks

> Steel and soft iron can both be attracted to magnets, but they behave differently once a magnetising force is removed.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Both nails become magnetised (induced magnets) when placed near the bar magnet
2. The soft iron nail loses its magnetism (quickly) when the bar magnet is removed
3. The soft iron nail will therefore not attract (or attract very few) iron filings after removal
4. The steel nail retains its magnetism after the bar magnet is removed
5. The steel nail will attract iron filings because it has become a permanent magnet

## Key terms

- [soft iron](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/soft-iron)
- [steel](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/steel)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-places-a-steel-nail-c7c4835e) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.