Quick answer: A magnet has a north and a south pole: like poles repel and unlike poles attract. This grade 8 science test on electromagnet has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 40 minutes: poles, field lines and which are attracted?. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.
This test has eight questions on poles, magnetic fields, compasses and electromagnets, worth 20 marks. Use the correct scientific words and show your reasoning. Also, you do not need a calculator for most parts.
Level: Grade 8 science (Year 9 · Class 8) · Curriculum: MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-5
Question 1 Poles (2 marks)
- Predict what happens when you bring two north poles close together. (1 mark)
- Then predict what happens when you bring a north pole close to a south pole. (1 mark)
Question 2 Field lines (3 marks)
The figure shows the field around a bar magnet.- State the direction of the field lines outside the magnet. (1 mark)
- Which of X, Y and Z has the strongest field? Explain how you can tell. (2 marks)
Question 3 Which are attracted? (2 marks)
You hold a magnet above these items: a steel spoon, a copper pipe, a nickel key, a glass bead.- List the items attracted by the magnet. (1 mark)
- Then explain why the copper pipe is not attracted. (1 mark)
Question 4 The compass (3 marks)
- Firstly, explain why a compass needle is itself a magnet. (1 mark)
- Then explain why the needle points north when it is far from other magnets. (1 mark)
- When you place a compass next to a bar magnet, the needle turns. Explain why. (1 mark)
Question 5 Stronger electromagnet (3 marks)
Describe three changes that make an electromagnet stronger. (3 marks)Question 6 Clips and current (3 marks)
An electromagnet lifts clips as the current changes: 0.4 A lifts 5 clips; 0.8 A lifts 10 clips; 1.2 A lifts 15 clips.- Describe the pattern. (1 mark)
- Predict the clips lifted at 1.6 A. (1 mark)
- Calculate the percentage increase in clips from 0.4 A to 1.2 A. (1 mark)
Question 7 Breaker’s yard (2 marks)
A recycling plant uses an electromagnet to move steel sheets. Give two reasons why an electromagnet is more useful than a permanent magnet. (2 marks)Question 8 Cutting a magnet (2 marks)
You cut a bar magnet into two pieces. State the poles of each piece and explain the result. (2 marks)
