Magnetism & Matter: Question Bank
Practice Set: Bar Magnet, Earth’s Magnetism, and Magnetic Materials.
Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)
1. The magnetic field lines inside a bar magnet:
(a) Run from North pole to South pole
(b) Run from South pole to North pole
(c) Do not exist
(d) Depend on external field
Magnetic field lines form continuous closed loops. Outside, they go N to S; inside, they go S to N.
2. A magnetic needle is kept in a non-uniform magnetic field. It experiences:
(a) A force and a torque
(b) A force but not a torque
(c) A torque but not a force
(d) Neither a force nor a torque
In a non-uniform field, the forces on the two poles (
3. The magnetic susceptibility
is negative for:
(a) Ferromagnetic materials
(b) Paramagnetic materials
(c) Diamagnetic materials
(d) Superconductors only
Diamagnetic materials repel magnetic field lines, corresponding to a small negative susceptibility.
4. According to Gauss’s law for magnetism,
is equal to:
(a) ![]()
(b) Zero
(c) ![]()
(d) ![]()
The net magnetic flux through any closed surface is zero because magnetic monopoles do not exist.
5. The work done in turning a magnet of magnetic moment
by an angle of
from the magnetic meridian is
times the corresponding work done to turn it through an angle of
. The value of
is:
(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) 0.5
(d) 1/3
6. The angle of dip at the magnetic equator is:
(a) ![]()
(b) ![]()
(c) ![]()
(d) ![]()
At the magnetic equator, the magnetic field lines are horizontal, so the dip angle is
7. Which of the following is independent of temperature?
(a) Ferromagnetism
(b) Diamagnetism
(c) Paramagnetism
(d) None of these
Diamagnetism arises from intrinsic electronic structure and is generally temperature-independent. Paramagnetism and Ferromagnetism depend on thermal agitation (Curie’s Law).
8. The relative permeability
of a substance is slightly greater than 1. The substance is:
(a) Diamagnetic
(b) Paramagnetic
(c) Ferromagnetic
(d) Non-magnetic
For paramagnetic,
9. At Curie temperature, a ferromagnetic substance becomes:
(a) Diamagnetic
(b) Paramagnetic
(c) Superconductor
(d) Non-magnetic
Above the Curie temperature, thermal agitation disrupts the alignment of domains, turning the material paramagnetic.
10. A bar magnet is cut into two equal halves perpendicular to its length. The pole strength of each piece:
(a) Becomes half
(b) Doubles
(c) Remains same
(d) Becomes zero
Cutting perpendicular to length changes the magnetic moment (
Part 2: Assertion-Reason Questions
(B) Both A & R are true, R does NOT explain A.
(C) A is true, R is false.
(D) A is false, R is true.
1. Assertion (A): Magnetic field lines are continuous and form closed loops.
Reason (R): Magnetic monopoles do not exist.
Since there are no isolated sources or sinks (monopoles), field lines must close on themselves.
2. Assertion (A): The poles of a bar magnet cannot be separated.
Reason (R): Breaking a magnet creates smaller magnets, each with a North and South pole.
This is a direct consequence of the non-existence of monopoles.
3. Assertion (A): Diamagnetic materials are repelled by magnets.
Reason (R): They tend to move from stronger to weaker parts of a magnetic field.
Repulsion implies moving away from the high-field region (pole) to the low-field region.
4. Assertion (A): A compass needle points North-South.
Reason (R): The Earth behaves like a giant bar magnet with its magnetic South pole near the geographic North pole.
The North pole of the compass is attracted to the Earth’s magnetic South pole (which is near the geographic North).
5. Assertion (A): Gauss’s law for magnetism states that the net magnetic flux through any closed surface is zero.
Reason (R): Magnetic field lines start from the North pole and terminate at the South pole.
Assertion is True. Reason is False. Magnetic lines do not “terminate”; they run S-to-N inside the magnet to form closed loops.
6. Assertion (A): Soft iron is used in making electromagnets.
Reason (R): Soft iron has low retentivity and low coercivity.
Low retentivity allows it to lose magnetism quickly when current stops; low coercivity means low hysteresis loss.
7. Assertion (A): The magnetic susceptibility of a paramagnetic substance is inversely proportional to absolute temperature.
Reason (R): This is Curie’s Law (
).
Correct statement and explanation.
8. Assertion (A): A superconductor exhibits perfect diamagnetism.
Reason (R): A superconductor expels all magnetic flux lines from its interior (Meissner effect).
Expulsion of flux lines corresponds to
9. Assertion (A): Magnetic field lines can intersect.
Reason (R): At the point of intersection, there would be two directions of magnetic field, which is impossible.
Assertion is False. Reason is True (explaining why they cannot intersect).
10. Assertion (A): The angle of dip is
at the poles.
Reason (R): At the poles, the earth’s magnetic field is vertical.
The magnetic needle points vertically downwards at the North Pole.
Part 3: Important Derivations & Theory
1. Derive an expression for the potential energy of a magnetic dipole placed in a uniform magnetic field. (3 Marks)
1. Torque on dipole:
2. Work done in rotating by
3. Integrate from
4. PE is defined as work done to bring from zero energy position (
2. State Gauss’s Law for Magnetism. How does it differ from Gauss’s Law for Electrostatics? (2 Marks)
Difference: In electrostatics,
3. Distinguish between Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic substances based on: (a) Susceptibility, (b) Permeability, (c) Effect of Temperature. (3 Marks)
1. Diamagnetic: Small -ve
2. Paramagnetic: Small +ve
3. Ferromagnetic: Large +ve
Part 4: Numericals
1. A short bar magnet placed with its axis at
with a uniform external magnetic field of
experiences a torque of magnitude equal to
. What is the magnitude of the magnetic moment of the magnet?
2. A magnetic needle free to rotate in a vertical plane parallel to the magnetic meridian has its north tip pointing down at
with the horizontal. The horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field at the place is known to be
. Determine the magnitude of the earth’s magnetic field at the place.
Formula:
3. An iron rod of susceptibility 599 is subjected to a magnetizing field of
. The permeability of the material of the rod is: (
)
Part 5: Case Study
Case Study: Earth’s Magnetism
The earth acts as a huge magnet with its magnetic field extending far into space. The field is believed to arise due to electrical currents produced by convective motion of metallic fluids in the outer core (Dynamo effect). To define the magnetic field at any place on Earth, three quantities are required, known as Magnetic Elements: Magnetic Declination, Angle of Dip (Inclination), and Horizontal Component.
- What is Magnetic Declination?
- At which location on Earth is the angle of dip
? - What is the relation between the horizontal component (
), vertical component (
), and total field (
)? - If the dip angle is
, compare the horizontal and vertical components.
2. At the **Magnetic Poles**.
3.
4. Since
