Electricity and Magnetism – 2

EXERCISE
(A) Objective Questions

Multiple Choice Questions.

Select the correct option:

1. A bar magnet is rubbed on a bar of steel along its length 20 times. The bar of steel
gets magnetised due to the process of :
(a) induction
(b) conduction
(c) friction
(d) none of the these

2.The magnetic strength of a bar magnet is :

(a) maximum at its centre
(b) same along the magnet
(c) maximum near its ends
(d) none of these

3. The surest test of magnet is :

(a) repulsion
(b) attraction
(c) induction
(d) none of these

4. Nickel is a :
(a) ferromagnetic substance
(b) paramagnetic substance
(c) diamagnetic substance
(d) none of these

5. The substance which form a strong temporary magnet is:

(a) steel
(b) platinum
(c) soft iron
(d) manganese

6. The place around a magnet where its influence can be detected is called :
(a) magnetic lines of force
(b) magnetic pole
(c) magnetic field
(d) magnetic space

(B) Subjective Questions

Self Objective Questions

Question 1.
What do you meant by the term pole of a magnet? Magnetically speaking, what is the
difference between a piece of brass, a piece of soft iron and a piece of lode- stone?

Answer:
Pole of a magnet: Each end of a bar magnet is called its pole. The point situated slightly
inside a bar magnet, where most of its magnetic power is concentrated, is called
magnetic pole or pole of a magnet.
Brass is not a magnetic substance and it is not affected by magnetic field. It does not
stick to a magnet.
Soft iron is a ferromagnetic substance and gets strongly attracted towards a magnet.
Soft iron can not attract other magnetic substances unless gets magnetised.
Lode stone is naturally magnetized piece of mineral magnetite. It can attract other
magnetic substance.

Question 2.
(a) What are magnetic and non-magnetic substances? Give at least two examples of
each.
(b) Fill the blank spaces in the table given below :

Answer:
(a) Magnetic substance : Those substances which are affected by the magnetic field
are known as magnetic substances.
For example : Iron, nickel, cobalt etc. are the magnetic substances.
Non-magnetic substances : Those substance which are not affected by the magnetic
field are known as nonmagnetic substances.
For example : Paper, glass, wood etc.

Question 3.
Define : magnetic field, magnetic meridian, geographical meridian, declination and
magnetic equator.

Answer:
Magnetic field : The space surrounding a magnet within which the magnet has its
influence is called magnetic field.
Magnetic meridian: The vertical plane containing the magnetic axis of a free suspended
magnet at rest, under the action of magnetic intensity of earth is called magnetic
meridian. Geographical meridian : The vertical plane which contains geographical north
and south poles of earth at a given place is called geographical meridian.
Decimation : The phenomenon due to which the earth’s geographical meridian is
inclined to earth’s magnetic meridian is called declination.
Magnetic equator : An imaginary line right bisecting the effective length of bar magnet
is called magnetic equator.

Question 4.
Why do lines of magnetic force never cross? Why do they never pass through a neutral
point?

Answer:
No two lines of magnetic force cross each other because in that case there would be
two directions of resultant magnetic force at a given point, which is not possible.
Magnetic lines of force never pass through neutral point because at neutral point
magnetic field due to bar magnet is neutralised by earth’s magnetic field.

Question 5.
Define : Isogonic line, agonic line isoclinic line.
Answer:
Isogonic lines : A line which joins all the places on earth, having same angle of
declination is called isogonic line.
Agonic line: A line which joins all the places on earth, having zero angle of declination is
called agonic line.
Isoclinic line : A line joining all the places on globe, having same angle of dip or
inclination is called isoclinic line.

Question 6.
How do you account for the following facts?
(a) Iron becomes magnetised when placed in a coil carrying direct current.
(b) Bar magnets lose their magnetism when heated strongly.
(c) Steel makes better permanent magnet than soft iron.
(d) Soft iron keepers help to prevent the magnets from losing their magnetic properties.

Answer:
(a) Iron is a magnetic substance and hence its each atom behaves as a tiny magnet.
When iron piece is placed in a coil carrying direct current, then all the north poles of all
the atoms of iron will align themselves in one direction and all the south poles of all the
atoms of iron align themselves in a direction opposite to that to which their north poles
point. As a result, iron piece gets magnetised.
(b) Bar magnets lose their magnetism when heated strongly. Due to heat energy, the
kinetic energy of the molecules of a barg magnet increases. Thus from straight line
molecular chains, they form closed molecular chains and hence, magnetism is lost.
(c) Steel makes better permanent magnet than soft iron because on magnetising steel,
steel retain their magnetic behaviour for longer time even after the removal of source
which is magnetising the steel.
While the soft iron retains the properties of magnetism only so long as the current is
passing through the coil i.e. as long as the source which is magnetising the soft iron is
present.
(d) In magnets, external fields like earth’s magnetic field can randomize the domains.
Perhaps stray fields caused by flowing currents in near by electric circuits can also
disturb i the alignment of domains lying inside a magnet. Given enough time, such
magnets may find their domains randomly oriented and hence their net magnetisation
may get lost. A keeper for magnets is just a strong permanent magnet that keeps all the
domains pointing the same way and realign those that may have gone stray and hence
magnet, can retain its magnetism for a long time.

Question 7.
State briefly (a) the molecular theory of magnetism, (b) the modern views on
magnetism.
Answer:
(a) Ewing suggested the molecular theory of magnetism as , follows:

1. Each molecule of a magnetic substance, whether it is magnetised or

unmagnetised, is an independent magnet.
2. In a magnetised substance, the molecules are arranged in an order so as to
produce an external effect. In this order, all the north poles of the molecules of the
magnetised substances point to one direction and all their south poles point to a
direction opposite to that to which their north poles points.

3. In an unmagnetised substance, the molecules are not arranged in any order, so

they neutralise the magnetic forces of each other.

4. The molecular theory of magnetism was a considerable step forward but later
there came an electrical explanation for the magnetism of atoms.
Atoms consist of negatively charged particles (electrons) which revolve around
the positively changed nucleus. Electrical current loops are formed in an atom due
to the circulation of these electrons. Each current loop behaves a magnetic dipole
and hence produce magnetic field. Also electrons are also spinning like tops and
this adds further magnetism to the atom.

Question 8.
Describe various methods of magnetising a piece of iron.

Answer:
METHODS OF MAGNETISATION :

1. Single Touch Method : The specimen to be magnetised is placed flat on the table.
A permanent bar magnet is taken and its one pole is placed on one end of the
piece. The bar magnet is then drawn to the other end, keeping it in the inclined
position as shown in figure. The permanent magnet is then lifted and the process
is repeated several times. The specimen is then turned over and the other side is
also magnetised in the same way.
The specimen gets magnetised. Its starting end gets the same polarity as the
polarity of the magnet touching it. The polarity at the other end of the specimen is
 opposite to that of the magnetising pole.

2. Divided Touch Method: The specimen to be magnetised is placed flat on a table.

Opposite poles of two strong bar magnets of equal strength are placed together in
the middle of the specimen. The ends of bar magnets are drawn towards the
opposite ends of the specimen, keeping the bar magnets inclined as shown in
figure. The magnets are then lifted. The operation is repeated several times

The specimen is then turned over and the other side is also magnetised in the
same way. The end of the specimen where the south pole of the bar magnet
leaves, becomes north pole. Similarly, the end of the specimen where the north
pole of the bar magnet leaves, becomes south pole. For strong magnetisation, the
two ends of the specimen are supported on teh two poles of two other bar
magnets, such that the pole of each magnet being the same as that of the
stroking magnet over it.
3. Double Touch Method : This method is almost similar to the divided touch
method. The only difference is that a piece of wood or cork is placed between the
two opposite poles of the permanent magnets. The magnets are then moved
together from the middle to the one end and then to the other end without lifting
them from the specimen as shown in figure. This process is repeated several
times.
The polarities on the end of the specimen are of the opposite nature to that of the
nearer poles of stroking magnets figure. For strong magnetisation, the specimen
is mounted on two permanent bar magnets as mentioned in the divided touch
 method.

4. Electrical Method of Magnetisation : The specimen to be magnetised is placed

inside a long coil of insulated copper wire. A strong direct current is passed
through the coil for some time, when the specimen is magnetised.
If the specimen is a steel bar, it becomes a permanent magnet. However, if the
specimen is a soft iron bar, it becomes a strong magnet, but it retains the
properties of magnetism only so long as the current is passed through the coil. As
soon as the current is stopped, it loses its magnetism.
The magnet formed by the passage of electric current by using soft iron core is
called electromagnet.

Question 9.
What is magnetic induction? Explain it giving a suitable experiment.

Answer:
Magnetic induction :
The Phenomenon due to which a piece of steel or iron behaves like a magnet when
placed near a strong magnet is called magnetic induction.
Experiment : Take a freely suspended magnetic needle and bring near its south pole,
the south end of a bar magnet. The needle gets longer affects the south and of
magnetic needle as shown in figure (a).
Place a flat piece of iron AB, in between the bar magnet and magnetic needle. It is
observed that south end of needle is repelled. Remove the iron piece AB. It is observed
that needle . comes back to its original position. Repeat the experiment, but remove bar
magnet instead of iron piece. We will observe that needle does not get repelled and
remains continuously in its original position.
From this experiment, it is clear that soft iron piece behaves as a magnet only when a
bar magnet is placed near it, when a bar magnet is removed then soft iron piece loses
its magnetism.

Question 10.
Repulsion is a surer test of magnetic condition of a body than attraction. Explain.

Answer:
Repulsion is the surest test of magnetism because the attraction can be caused
between two unlike poles of the two magnets or between the magnet and magnetic
substance such as iron, nickel etc. But repulsion is caused when two similar poles
approach each other.

Question 11.
There are two knitting needles. One of them is magnetised. How will you find out which
one is magnetised, if no other magnet is available?

Answer:
When an iron bar is magnetised, it slightly increases in length due to setting of
molecular magnets along straight chains. So, on precisely measuring the length of
knitting needle, the knitting needle which is slightly longer in length than other is
magnetised.

Question 12.
Describe two methods of determining the arrangement of the lines of force in the field
close to a bar magnet. Give a brief explanation of each method.

Answer:
First method : Place a card board on the top of a bar magnet and scatter some iron
filings uniformly over the whole of card board. Now tap it with a pencil. The filing are
magnetised by induction and arrange themselves in curved lines as shown in figure. The
curved lines are called the magnetic lines of force which may be defined as the lines in
a magnetic field along which free magnetic poles tend to be driven if free to do so.
Second method : Lines of force can be traced on a paper by using tracing needle or
small magnetic compass needle.
The bar magnet is placed on a sheet of paper and its boundary is drawn with a sharp
pencil. A point X is marked along the boundary towards the north of the magnet.
The tracing needle is then placed at point X in such a way that its one end points
towards the point X. With the help of pencil the direction of other end of needle is
marked on paper. Let it be point Y.
Now, shift the needle from the point X and place it in such a way that its one end points
towards the point Y. The direction of other end of needle is marked by pencil. Let it be
point Z. The process is continued till a closed curve is obtained.
This curve is called magnetic line of force.

If we plot a number of such curves around the magnet, starting from different points
then the space so enclosed is called magnetic field.

Question 13.
Draw diagrams showing the arrangements of the lines of force for:
(a) a single magnet.
(b) two magnets in line, with unlike poles facing one another.
(c) a piece of soft iron laid in line with magnetic field.

Answer:
(a) Arrangement of the lines of force single magnet :
(b) Arrangement of lines of force for two magnets in line, with unlike poles facing one
another :

(c) Arrangement of lines of force for a piece of soft iron laid in line with the magnetic
field:

AB is a soft iron rod whose end A behaves as south pole and end B behaves a north
pole when soft iron rod is placed in a line with magnetic field.

Question 14.
Give short account of the earth’s magnetic field.

Answer:
When a bar magnet is suspended freely, then it aligns itself along geographical north-
south direction i.e. north pole of the magnet points towards the geographical north and
south pole of the magnet points towards geographical south direction. William Gilbert
suggest that earth itself behaves as a huge magnet. It was assumed that:

1. A huge magnet is bured at the centre of earth.

2. The south end of earth’s magnet is towards the earth’s geographic north and vice-
versa.
3. The axis of earth’s magnet is not in line with the geographical axis, but makes a
small angle with it.
The diagram on next page show the earth as a magnet and the magnetic lines of
force around it

Question 15.
Give the various methods for demagnetising a magnet.

Answer:

1. A magnet can be damagnetised by any of the following methods:

Electrical Method : An insulated copper coil is wound around a card board tube
and inside it is placed a permanent bar magnet. The coil is placed in East-West
direction and its ends are connected to a step-down transformer. The alternating
current is switched on for one minute, then the bar magnet gets demagnetised.
 Reason : When the current rapidly changes the direction in the insulated copper
coil, the polarity set up in the coil also rapidly changes. This in turn acts inductively
on the bar magnet, whose molecular magnets rapidly try to align themselves with
the changing magnetic polarity. Thus, molecular magnets form closed chains and
hence, the bar magnet gets demagnetised.
2. By Rough Handling : When a magnet is rough-handled (i.e. it is allowed to drop
repeatedly) or hammered, it gets completely demagnetised.
Reason : In a bar magnet the molecular magnets are arranged in straight line
chains. On hammering or rough handling, they gain kinetic energy and vibrate
rapidly about their mean positions. In doing so they form closed magnetic chains
and hence, the magnetism is lost.
3. By Heating : When a magnet is heated to red hot temperature and then allowed to
cool, it loses its magnetism. Reason : Due to heat energy, the kinetic energy of the
molecules increases. Thus, from straight line molecular chains, they form closed
molecular chains and hence, the magnetism is lost.
4. By Induction : When a given magnet is placed in contact with another similar
magnet (i.e., the other magnet should be of same strength), such that their similar
poles are facing each others then both the magnets get demagnetised in a couple
of days.
Reason: It is because both the magnets will induce opposite polarity in each other.
In doing so the molecular magnets in each magnet form closed molecular chains
and hence, they get demagnetised.
5. By Self-Induction : A single bar magnet has a tendency to lose its magnetism.
Reason : In a bar magnet the molecular magnets (dipoles) are arranged in straight
line chains. However, two or more parallel chains have their north and south poles
facing each other. Thus, dipoles act inductively on each other and hence, turn to
form closed molecular chains. Thus, single bar magnet gets demagnetised.

Question 16.
Describe two simple experiments to support the statement that magnetism is a
property of the molecules of a magnet.

Answer: Magnetism is a property of molecules of a magnet.

Experiment-1 : Take a bar magnet and break it into as small parts as possible. We shall
find that each small part retain the original polarity i.e. even the smallest part of the
magnet has its own north and south pole and can attract the magnetic substances.
It shows that, if it were possible to break a magnet into its molecules then each
molecule would retain the property of a magnet.

Experiment-2 : Take a soft iron bar. Place it in a magnetic field. We shall find that there
is small increase in its length on getting magnetised.
A soft iron bar becomes magnetised and get lengthened only if each molecule of soft
iron bar behave as a magnet. Due to setting of molecular magnets along straight chains,
there is slight increase in length of soft iron bar. So we can say that magnetism is a
property of molecules of a magnet.

Question 17.
Explain, why steel is used in preference to soft iron for making permanent magnets
while soft iron is used in preference to steel for making electromagnets.

Answer:
Steel is used in preference to soft iron for making permanent magnets because steel
acts as a magnet, even on the removal of inducing magnet and also steel has a very
high retention. Soft iron is used in preference to steel for making permanent magnets
because soft iron behave like magnet as long as there is an inducing magnet and also
soft iron has a very poor magnetic retention.

Question 18.
Describe, how you will proceed to determine the position of the pole of a bar magnet.

Answer:
Fix a white sheet of paper on a wooden drawing board and in the middle of it draw a
straight line. On the straight line place a magnetic needle. Turn the drawing board in the
clockwise or anticlockwise direction, till the magnetic needle is in line with

line drawn on drawing board. At this point drawing board is in magnetic meridian.
Remove the magnetic needle.
Place a bar magnet such that its axis coincides with this line. Mark the outline of the
magnet with a pencil. Place the compass needle near one end of the bar magnet. In this
position, the action of the earth’s field is ineffective in deflecting the needle and the
compass needle is acted on by the nearest pole only. Market the two ends of the needle
by two dots A and B as shown in figure.
Change the position of the compass needle and repeat the process. Join the two marks
A, B and A,, B, by straight lines. It will be found that the straight lines, when produced,
intersect at a point near the end of the magnet. This point of intersection indicates the
position of the magnetic pole. Similarly, the other pole may be ascertained in the same
way as described above. The length between the two poles is called the effective length
of the magnet which is found to be about 0.84 times the actual length of the magnet.
Question 19.
Draw lines of force surrounding a bar magnet when it is placed in the magnetic
meridian with its
(a) north pole pointing geographic, north
(b) north pole pointing geographic south.

Answer:
(a) Bar magnet placed in magnetic meridian with its north pole pointing geographic
north.

(b) Bar magnet placed in magnetic meridian with its north pole pointing geographic
south.

Bar magnets are often stored in pair as shown in the figure. E and F being pieces of
metal.
 1. Name the metal used for E and F.
2. Why are E and F placed in contact with the poles of the magnets as shown in the
diagram?
3. Mark on the diagram the poles of the second magnet,
4. What is the material of darkened part?

Answer:

1. Soft iron is used for E and F.

2. E and F are placed in contact with the poles of magnets to preserve the strength
of magnet.

3.
4. Darkened part is a non-magnetic material like wood.

Question 21.
The figure shows a freely suspended magnet in rest position. Copy the diagram and on
it show :
(a) Angle of declination
(b) Angle in dip
Answer:

Question 22.
(a) Since every iron atom is a tiny magnet, why are not all iron bar magnets?
(b) If a magnet is carefully broken into two pieces as shown in figure (i), how does the
magnetic strength of each piece compare with that of original magnet? If another
magnet is carefully broken in half along its long axis shown in figure (ii), how would the
strength of each piece compare with that of original magnet?

Answer:
(a) Each molecule of a magnetic substance is an independent magnet. But in an
unmagnetised iron piece, molecular/ atoms (tiny magnets) are not arranged in any order
and hence they neturalise the magnetic forces of each other As a result, any
unmagnetised iron piece can not behave as a magnet.
(b)

1. When a magnet is cut into two equal parts as shown in figure (i), then pole
strength of each piece remains same as that of original magnet.
2. When a magnet is cut into two equal parts as shown in figure (ii), then pole
strength of each pole is half as that of the pole strength of original magnet.

Question 23.
Draw the magnetic flux pattern near a bar magnet placed with its axis in the magnetic
meridian and the south pole pointing towards geographic north.
Answer:

Question 24.
Draw a clearly labelled diagram, to show how a steel bar is magnetised by a divided
touch method. A written description is not required.

Answer:

Question 25.
Define the terms magnetic declination and dip with reference to freely suspended
magnet.
(a) What do you understand by the terms magnetic meridian and geographic meridian?
(b) At what places on the earth will the angle of dip be (1) maximum and (2) minimum?

Answer:
Magnetic declination : The angle through which freely suspended magnetic needle is
inclined to the geographic axis is known as magnetic declination.
 OR
The angle between the geographic meridian and magnetic meridian it is given place is
called declination.

Magnetic dip : The angle between the horizontal axis passing through freely suspended
magnet and the direction of earth’s magnetic field is called magnetic dip.
(a) Magnetic meridian : The vertical plane containing the magnetic axis of a freely
suspended magnet at rest, under the action of magnetic intensity of earth is called
magnetic meridian.
Geographic meridian : The vertical plane which contains geographic north and south
pole of earth at a given place is called geographic meridian.
(b) The angle of dip is maximum e. 90° at the magnetic poles. The angle of dip is
minimum i.e. 0° at the magnetic equator.

Question 26.
(a) What are magnetic keepers? What are they used for?
(b) Explain the ‘molecular theory’ of magnetism with the help of a diagram.

Answer:
(a) Magnetic keeper : A magnetic keeper is a ferromagnetic bar made from soft iron or
steel, which is placed across the poles of a permanent magnet.Magnetic keepers are
used to preserve the strength of the magnet by completing the magnetic circuit.
(b) Ewing suggested the molecular theory of magnetism as follows:

1. Each molecule of a magnetic substance, whether it is magnetised or

unmagnetised, is an independent magnet.
2. In a magnetised substance, the molecules are arranged in an order so as to
produce an external effect. In this order, all the north poles of the molecules of the
magnetised substances point to one direction and all their south poles point to a
direction opposite to that to which their north poles points.

3. In an unmagnetised substance, the molecules are not arranged in any order, so

they neutralise the magnetic forces of each other.
Question 27.
What do you understand by the term magnetic declination?

Answer:
Magnetic declination : The angle through which freely suspended magnetic needle is
inclined to the geographic axis is known as magnetic declination.

OR

The angle between the geographic meridian and magnetic meridian it is given place is
called declination.

Magnetic dip : The angle between the horizontal axis passing through freely suspended
magnet and the direction of earth’s magnetic field is called magnetic dip.

(a) Magnetic meridian : The vertical plane containing the magnetic axis of a freely
suspended magnet at rest, under the action of magnetic intensity of earth is called
magnetic meridian.
Geographic meridian: The vertical plane which contains geographic north and south
pole of earth at a given place is called geographic meridian.
(b) The angle of dip is maximum i. e. 90° at the magnetic poles. The angle of dip is
minimum i.e. 0° at the magnetic equator.

Question 28.
(a) Explain the mechanism by which unmagnetised iron nails get attracted to a magnet
when brought near it.
(b) State any two properties of magnet.

Answer:
(a) Every atom of an iron nail behaves as a tiny magnet. Due to the random orientations
of these tiny magnets, iron nail does not behave as a magnet.
But when iron nail is placed near a magnet, then due to induced magnetism, all the
atoms (tiny magnets) align themselves in a particular direction. As a result, the end of
the iron nail nearer to magnet acquires the opposite polarity and hence get attracted
towards the magnet.
(b) Properties of a magnet :

1. Freely suspended magnet always align itself in the geographic north and
geographic south direction.
2. Like poles of magnets repel each other while unlike poles attract.