A student places an unmagnetised iron nail and an unmagnetised steel nail into the same magnetic field. Both nails become magnetised. When the student removes both nails from the magnetic field, the iron nail quickly loses its magnetism but the steel nail retains it. Explain why the two nails behave differently after being removed from the field.

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).

Model answer (4 marks)

Iron is a magnetically soft material. Soft iron can be magnetised only temporarily; it loses its magnetism when removed from the field.
Steel is a magnetically hard material. Hard steel can be permanently magnetised and retains its magnetism after being removed from the field.

Examiner tips

  • Use the terms "magnetically soft" and "magnetically hard". Explain the temporary vs permanent magnetisation. Show the link between material type and behaviour after removal.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing iron with steel or vice‑versa. Using vague phrases like "soft" or "hard" without the magnetism context. Forgetting to mention that the steel retains magnetism after removal.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Iron is magnetically soft / soft iron is described as magnetically soft
  2. Magnetically soft materials are only temporarily magnetised / lose their magnetism when removed from the field
  3. Steel is magnetically hard / the steel nail is described as magnetically hard
  4. Magnetically hard materials can be permanently magnetised / retain their magnetism after being removed from the field

Key terms in this question

magnetic field

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