Who this is for: Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) students who want simple phenomena of magnetism — poles, field lines and electromagnets — to become reliable marks instead of diagrams they sketch without rules.
What query it owns: how to understand and revise simple phenomena of magnetism in Cambridge IGCSE Physics.
Why this is safe: this page owns the magnetism revision-guide angle, while Tutopiya’s Simple Phenomena of Magnetism subtopic page owns the learning resource and the free quiz owns the practice.

Magnetism opens the Electricity and Magnetism unit in Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625). Examiners test magnetic materials, attraction and repulsion of poles, field line patterns, plotting fields with a compass, and the basics of electromagnets. This guide covers the syllabus content and the question types that appear every year.

Key takeaways

• Magnetic materials include iron, steel, nickel and cobalt; copper and aluminium are non-magnetic.
• Like poles repel; unlike poles attract — N–N and S–S repel; N–S attract.
• Magnetic field lines run from N to S outside a magnet; closer lines = stronger field.
• A plotting compass shows field direction; lines never cross.
• An electromagnet is a solenoid (coil) with a soft iron core — magnetic only while current flows.

What is simple phenomena of magnetism in Cambridge IGCSE Physics?

Magnetism is a force exerted by magnets on magnetic materials and on other magnets. A magnetic field is the region where this force acts. In Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) you must draw field patterns for bar magnets, describe induced magnetism, compare permanent magnets with electromagnets, and state uses of electromagnets.

You can read the full explanation, worked examples and notes on Tutopiya’s Simple Phenomena of Magnetism subtopic page before you attempt questions.

The core ideas you must master

Idea	What it means	How the exam uses it
Magnetic poles	N and S; always in pairs	”State what happens when two N poles are brought together.”
Field lines	Direction a free N pole would move	”Sketch the field around a bar magnet.”
Induced magnetism	Unmagnetised iron becomes temporary magnet	”Explain why a nail is attracted to a magnet.”
Electromagnet	Current in coil creates magnetic field	”Describe how to increase the strength of an electromagnet.”
Earth’s field	Acts like a large bar magnet	”State how a compass aligns in Earth’s field.”

Permanent magnets vs electromagnets: which does the question want?

Feature	Permanent magnet	Electromagnet
Material	Steel (hard magnetic material)	Soft iron core in a coil
Field when switched off	Remains magnetised	Loses magnetism quickly
Strength control	Fixed	Increase current, more turns, or iron core
Typical use	Fridge magnets, loudspeakers	Scrap-yard cranes, relays, MRI

How to sketch magnetic field lines — step by step

1. Mark N and S poles on the magnet diagram.
2. Draw lines leaving N and entering S outside the magnet.
3. Show lines closer together near the poles (stronger field).
4. Add direction arrows on each line (N → S externally).
5. For two magnets, show attraction (lines join N to S) or repulsion (lines push apart between like poles).

Once you have worked through a few, test yourself with the free Simple Phenomena of Magnetism quiz.

Magnetism in past-paper wording: command words that matter

Command word / phrase	What the question wants	Typical magnetism stem
Sketch / Draw	Field pattern with arrows	”Sketch the magnetic field around a bar magnet.”
Describe	Features or method	”Describe how to plot the field around a magnet.”
Explain	Cause and effect	”Explain why a steel paper clip is attracted to a magnet.”
State	Short factual answer	”State two ways to increase an electromagnet’s strength.”
Suggest	Apply to a scenario	”Suggest why soft iron is used as the core.”

Worked exam-style stems (how to answer the wording)

1. “Two bar magnets are placed with their north poles facing each other. State what happens.” The magnets repel each other (like poles repel). Mark-scheme reward: repulsion stated with like poles identified.
2. “Describe how to increase the strength of an electromagnet.” Increase current in the coil, add more turns on the coil, or use a soft iron core. Reward: any two valid methods.
3. “Explain why a plotting compass placed near a bar magnet rotates.” The compass needle is a small magnet → experiences a force in the external magnetic field → aligns with the field direction (N pole points along field lines). Reward: field exerts turning force + alignment with field.

When you can recognise the wording instantly, work through the Simple Phenomena of Magnetism quiz to lock the field rules in.

How magnetism connects to the rest of the syllabus

Magnetism leads into the motor effect and electromagnetic induction later in Electricity and Magnetism. Electromagnets link to Electric Circuits through current in coils. The Cambridge IGCSE Physics resource hub links every Electricity and Magnetism subtopic.

Common mistakes students make

• Drawing field lines from S to N outside the magnet (should be N to S externally).
• Stating copper is magnetic (it is not).
• Confusing soft iron (temporary, for electromagnets) with steel (permanent magnet).
• Showing field lines crossing each other.
• Forgetting that magnetic forces act without contact.

When you need more support

If field diagram questions keep costing marks, work through the Simple Phenomena of Magnetism quiz, then get focused help from a Cambridge IGCSE Physics tutor.

Frequently asked questions

Is magnetism hard in Cambridge IGCSE Physics? The concepts are straightforward, but marks are lost on field line direction and electromagnet strength factors.

What materials are magnetic? Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic. Most other metals (e.g. copper, aluminium) are not.

How does a compass work? The needle is a small magnet that aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, with its north pole pointing toward Earth’s magnetic north.

How do I revise magnetism effectively? Practise field sketches for bar magnets and electromagnets, learn pole rules, then take the Simple Phenomena of Magnetism quiz.

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