Magnetic field: A region in space where a magnetic material (or moving charge) experiences a force.
Permanent magnet: A material that produces its own persistent magnetic field (e.g. steel). Always has north and south poles.
Induced magnet: A material that becomes temporarily magnetic when placed in an external magnetic field (e.g. iron). Always attracted to a permanent magnet, never repelled.
Electromagnet: A magnet created by passing electric current through a coil of wire, usually with a soft iron core to amplify the field.
Magnetic flux density (B): A measure of the strength of a magnetic field. Units: Tesla (T). Higher B = stronger field = field lines closer together.
This definitions covers Key Definitions within Magnetic Fields for GCSE Physics. Revise Magnetic Fields in Magnetism for GCSE Physics with 14 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 7 of 13 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Practice questions for Magnetic Fields
What happens when two like magnetic poles (e.g. north and north) are brought close together?
State the rules for the attraction and repulsion of magnetic poles.