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GCSE Physics · key term
A line used to represent a magnetic field; its arrow shows the field direction and its spacing indicates relative field strength.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.7.1.2 · Paper 2
An imaginary line used to show the direction of a magnetic field; lines drawn closer together indicate a stronger field.
Revise: Magnetic fieldsA magnetic field line is a way of drawing the field, not a physical thread around the magnet. Outside a bar magnet, the lines curve from its north-seeking pole (N) towards its south-seeking pole (S). An arrow on a line shows the direction a north pole would move at that point.
Specification 12.4, 12.5, 12.7 · Paper 2
Revise: Magnetic Field ShapeWe represent a field using magnetic field lines. These lines are a model rather than real threads around the magnet.
A line drawn to represent the direction of a magnetic field; an arrow shows the direction in which the north-seeking end of a compass points.
An imaginary line used to represent a magnetic field; its direction is the direction in which a north magnetic pole would move.
Specification P4.1c · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
An imaginary line used to represent the direction of a magnetic field; closer spacing represents a stronger field.
Revise: Magnetic fieldsWe represent a field with magnetic field lines. They are a drawing tool, not physical threads. Outside a bar magnet, arrows on the lines point from the north pole towards the south pole.
Paper 1, Paper 2
A line used to represent a magnetic field; its arrow gives the direction of the force on a north pole and its spacing indicates relative field strength.
Revise: Properties of Magnets and Magnetic FieldsWe represent it using magnetic field lines so that its direction and relative strength can be communicated clearly.
An imagined line used to represent a magnetic field; its arrow shows the direction in which the north pole of a small compass would point.
Never draw magnetic field lines crossing: that would assign two field directions to the same point.
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