This common misconceptions covers Common Misconceptions within Magnetic Fields for GCSE Physics. Revise Magnetic Fields in Magnetism for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 9 of 14 in this topic. Use this common misconceptions to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 9 of 14
Practice
13 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
⚠️ Common Misconceptions
Misconception 1: "All metals are magnetic"
Only a few metals are magnetic: iron, steel, cobalt, nickel, and some of their alloys. Copper, aluminium, gold, and most common metals are NOT magnetic. You can test this by trying to attract metals with a magnet.
Misconception 2: "An induced magnet can be repelled by a permanent magnet"
Induced magnets are ALWAYS attracted to permanent magnets, never repelled. This is because the induced magnet always develops the opposite pole nearest to the permanent magnet, so the poles facing each other are always unlike (attracting).
Misconception 3: "Magnetic field lines show where the field is — there is no field between lines"
Field lines are just a visual tool. The magnetic field exists everywhere in the region around a magnet — the lines simply help us show direction and relative strength. The field between lines is real; we just don't draw every single line.