# A student suspends a bar magnet horizontally from a thread so that it can rotate freely. The student then brings a second bar magnet close to the suspended magnet. Explain how the student could use this apparatus to identify the poles of an unmarked bar magnet, and state what the student would observe when like poles and unlike poles are brought close together.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 4.4 Magnetic fields · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A known/labelled magnet is needed as a reference (to compare with the unmarked magnet)
2. Like poles (north–north or south–south) repel each other
3. Unlike poles (north–south) attract each other
4. The student observes the suspended magnet rotating/moving towards or away from the held magnet
5. By noting which end of the known magnet causes repulsion, the student can identify the matching pole on the unmarked magnet

## Key terms

- [like poles](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/like-poles)
- [unlike poles](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/unlike-poles)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](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-suspends-a-bar-magnet-e5a43d7f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.