Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Questions will include multiple choice, descriptions and explanations, using mathematical skills, and extended writing.
Multiple choice questions are perhaps the easiest to complete - you simply put a cross in a box - however, the questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. Don’t make the mistake of reading the first answer and thinking this is correct without checking all the others.
If it says 'Tick one box', you must tick one box. If you leave it blank or tick two or more boxes, you will get zero marks. These multiple choice questions will not start with command words like ‘Describe...’ or ‘Explain...’. They will be written in the form of a question like ‘What...?’ or ‘Why...?’.
There will be more multiple choice questions on the Foundation paper.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
The Earth has a magnetic field.
What causes the Earth’s magnetic field? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| A | The movement of liquid iron in the Earth’s outer core. | |
|---|---|---|
| B | The gravitational field of the Earth. | |
| C | The permanent magnet in the Earth’s core. |
| A | The movement of liquid iron in the Earth’s outer core. | ✔ |
|---|---|---|
| B | The gravitational field of the Earth. | |
| C | The permanent magnet in the Earth’s core. |
The Earth does not contain a permanent magnet. Its magnetic field is produced by the movement between the inner and outer cores.
Which two materials are magnetic? [2 marks]
Tick two boxes.
| A | Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| B | Cobalt | |
| C | Copper | |
| D | Nickel | |
| E | Sodium |
| A | Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| B | Cobalt | ✔ |
| C | Copper | |
| D | Nickel | ✔ |
| E | Sodium |
The magnetic elements are: iron, nickel and cobalt. Alloy steel is also magnetic because it is mostly iron.
Why is iron a suitable material for the core of a transformer? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| A | It is a metal | |
|---|---|---|
| B | It will not get hot | |
| C | It is easily magnetised | |
| D | It is an electrical conductor |
| A | It is a metal | |
|---|---|---|
| B | It will not get hot | |
| C | It is easily magnetised | ✔ |
| D | It is an electrical conductor |
Although the other answers may give some properties of iron, it is best to use iron in a transformer because it is easily magnetised. This allows it to direct the alternating magnetic field between the coils.