# 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

## 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

- [magnetic field](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/magnetic-field)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](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-an-unmagnetised-iron-9c83b5f6) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.