# A student strokes a steel knitting needle repeatedly in the same direction with one pole of a permanent magnet. Describe what happens to the knitting needle during this process and explain why the needle retains its magnetism after the permanent magnet is removed.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.7.1 Permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields · Describe and Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Stroking aligns the magnetic domains (in the steel) in the same direction
2. The knitting needle becomes a (temporary/permanent) magnet / is magnetised
3. Steel is a (magnetic) material that retains its magnetism / domains remain aligned after the permanent magnet is removed
4. This means the needle now acts as a permanent magnet (producing its own magnetic field without needing an external field)

## Key terms

- [permanent magnet](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/permanent-magnet)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-strokes-a-steel-knitting-3093a7ac) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.