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Magnets and Electromagnets Trivia Quiz

Just a quick look at the basics of magnets and electromagnets.

A multiple-choice quiz by rlhouse. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
rlhouse

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
259,321

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2096

Last 3 plays: turaguy (7/10), klotzplate (10/10), Guest 84 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When talking about magnets, what word is the opposite of attract? Hint

Compass

Repel

Rebel

Gravity

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Question 2 of 10

2. If you hang a magnet so it is free to swing and turn, what have you created? Hint

Compass

Watch

Flux capacitor

Nothing

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Question 3 of 10

3. If I bring a North and South Pole together which word or phrase best describes what happens? Hint

Attraction

Reaction

Repulsion

Brownian motion

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which pole of a magnet in a compass points north? Hint

South Pole

None of these

Neutral Pole

North Pole

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Question 5 of 10

5. What advantage does an electromagnet have over a permanent magnet? Hint

A permanent magnet cannot be used to pick up nickel.

An electromagnet can be used for picking up more metals.

An electromagnet can be switched off.

An electromagnet is lighter.

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Question 6 of 10

6. How can an electromagnet be made stronger? Hint

Add an iron core.

All of these answers are correct.

Increase the current.

Add more coils of wire.

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these devices uses a magnet or electromagnet to make it work? Hint

All of these devices use a magnet or electromagnet

A compact disc

A microchip

An electric bell

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of these metals are attracted to a magnet? Hint

Cobalt

All of these.

Nickel

Iron

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Question 9 of 10

9. In which direction do the field lines go around a magnet? Hint

From south to north

From north to south

Clockwise

It's different for every magnet

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where are the field lines most concentrated around a bar magnet? Hint

At the centre.

At the North Pole.

At the South Pole.

At both poles.

Most Recent Scores

Dec 19 2024 : turaguy: 7/10
Dec 02 2024 : klotzplate: 10/10
Dec 01 2024 : Guest 84: 8/10
Nov 19 2024 : Guest 172: 10/10
Nov 15 2024 : Guest 207: 7/10
Nov 11 2024 : bradncarol: 6/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 92: 7/10
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 73: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When talking about magnets, what word is the opposite of attract?

Answer: Repel

Magnets can attract and repel depending on the position of the magnetic poles. Remember, like poles repel and opposite poles attract.

2. If you hang a magnet so it is free to swing and turn, what have you created?

Answer: Compass

Chinese sailors did this a long time ago to invent the compass. The north pole of the magnet is the part of the magnet that points towards the north pole of the Earth.
A flux capacitor is the thing in the 'Back to the Future' movies that is used to time travel.

3. If I bring a North and South Pole together which word or phrase best describes what happens?

Answer: Attraction

The magnet repels when two like poles are brought together. It attracts when two opposite poles come together. Maglev trains (magnetically levitated trains) use magnetic repulsion to "float" above the track.

4. Which pole of a magnet in a compass points north?

Answer: North Pole

Therefore, the North Pole on Earth is actually a magnetic South Pole and the South Pole is a magnetic North Pole. Remember that opposite poles attract each other.

5. What advantage does an electromagnet have over a permanent magnet?

Answer: An electromagnet can be switched off.

This turning off of an electromagnet is used in junk/scrap metal yards throughout the world. After the cranes pick up metal they can then turn the electro-magnet off and drop the metal where it is needed.

6. How can an electromagnet be made stronger?

Answer: All of these answers are correct.

A wire with an electric current running through it has a small magnetic force, and the coiling of the wire increases this magnetic force. The iron core may become a permanent magnet when the electricity is turned off, depending on how hard the iron is. 'Soft' iron loses its magnetism very quickly when the current is turned off.

7. Which of these devices uses a magnet or electromagnet to make it work?

Answer: An electric bell

When the circuit is complete, the electromagnet is turned on; however this electromagnet pulls the contacts apart and breaks the complete circuit. A spring then pulls the contacts back together and the circuit is complete again.

8. Which of these metals are attracted to a magnet?

Answer: All of these.

These are three basic metals that are attracted to a magnet; remember that their alloys are also attracted e.g., steel is an alloy of iron and is therefore attracted. There are also some new ceramic materials that exhibit magnetic properties.

9. In which direction do the field lines go around a magnet?

Answer: From north to south

This can be shown using small plotting compasses. Place them around your magnet and they will give you an outline of the field lines around the magnet. If you're using an electro-magnet, reversing the current will make the field lines go in the opposite direction.

10. Where are the field lines most concentrated around a bar magnet?

Answer: At both poles.

Sprinkle some iron filings around a magnet and they take the shape of the magnetic field. You will notice there are more field lines at the poles.

Source: Author rlhouse

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor NatalieW before going online.
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