However, you can be tricked by the phrasing of such questions if you fail to read the questions carefully. This results in “missing links” in your final answers!<\/p>\n
In today’s article, I will be analysing an examination question on Magnets<\/strong><\/a> from the 2019<\/strong> Raffles Girls’ Primary School (RGPS) <\/strong>P6 SA1 Examination Paper\u00a0<\/strong>to demonstrate what I have mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n You may also choose to watch the video here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Source: Raffles Girls’ Primary School \u2013 2019 P6 SA1 Examination Paper [Q36]<\/em><\/p>\n Let\u2019s focus on the keyword \u201cstyrofoam<\/strong><\/em>\u201d. The key property of styrofoam is that it floats on water<\/strong>. This means that the bar magnet, placed on the styrofoam block, will also be floating.<\/p>\n Next, the question also states “the magnet was at rest”<\/strong>. What does the phrase \u2018magnet at rest\u2019 mean?<\/p>\n A magnet at rest means that it is not moving<\/strong>. Take note that the bar magnet rests in a very specific direction.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udded A compass<\/strong> is provided in the question.<\/p>\n Always remember that the needle of the compass is a magnet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Besides, take note that the label for the North pole is shown<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The compass\u2019 North pole is pointing to the right diagonally. Similarly, the bar magnet is also pointing to the right diagonally.<\/p>\n “Based on Ahmad\u2019s results, which property of magnets is shown in his observation?”<\/strong><\/p>\n Most students will write their answer as \u201cMagnets come to rest in the north-south direction<\/em>\u201d. However, that answer will only be worth a \u00bd mark as it is incomplete.<\/p>\n While it is true that magnets come to rest in the north-south direction, a complete answer must state an additional condition: The magnet must be described as freely floating or freely suspended<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \ud83e\uddf2 ONLY freely floating<\/strong> or freely suspended<\/strong> magnets will come to rest in the north-south direction.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In this question, we should use \u201cfreely floating<\/strong>\u201d as the magnet is floating on water.<\/p>\n Magnets that are freely floating<\/strong> will come to rest in a north-south direction.<\/p>\n \u2b50\ufe0f Tip: <\/strong>\u201cFreely suspended\u201d may be used when the magnet is tied to a string and left hanging. It will also come to rest in a north-south direction.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This example shows why it is important for you to recap on the basics even if the topic of Magnets seems easy. This is how you can identify missing links in your answers and improve on them!<\/p>\n Source: Raffles Girls’ Primary School \u2013 2019 SA1 Examination Paper [Q36]<\/em><\/p>\n Most students will immediately come to this conclusion: Y is the North and X is the South.<\/p>\n When asked how they came to this conclusion, they will say that this is based on the previous diagram where the Y pole of the bar magnet and the North pole of the compass needle are facing the same direction.<\/p>\n \u26a0\ufe0f Misconception Alert!<\/strong><\/p>\n When students are asked to elaborate on how this relates to the compass, many of them will explain that the North pole of the compass needle will always face the same direction as the North pole of the bar magnet.<\/p>\n While the labels they draw on the compass are correct, their explanation is wrong<\/strong>, demonstrating their misconception.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Remember: the magnets in part (a) are freely floating. That is why they come to rest in the north-south direction.<\/p>\n However, in the current question, the compass needle is NOT<\/strong> freely floating. As stated in the question, the bar magnet is placed near the compass. Therefore its magnetism is interfering with the orientation of the needle<\/strong>!<\/p>\n Now that we have proven that the compass needle is not free\/at rest, how do we explain its position? We will have to use a different explanation and concept:<\/p>\n Magnets have poles. Unlike poles (North and South) that are facing each other will attract. This is the reason why the North pole of the compass needle faces right. It is attracted to the south pole (X) of the bar magnet!<\/p>\nRead Also:<\/h3>\n
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Let’s Get Started On This Question!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nLet’s Analyse Part (A)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Suggested Answer For Part (A)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Let’s Analyse Part (B)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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