Physics Class-11
Chapter
12 Electromagnetism
SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWERS
1. What is electromagnetism?
Ans: Electromagnetism is a branch of physics that studies the interaction between
electric charges and magnetic fields.
2. What are electric charges?
Ans: Electric charges are fundamental properties of matter, either positive (protons)
or negative (electrons), that produce electric fields.
3. What is an electric field?
Ans: An electric field is a region around a charged particle where other charges
experience a force.
4. What is a magnetic field?
Ans: A magnetic field is a region around a magnet or moving electric charge where
magnetic forces are exerted.
5. What is the relationship between electricity and magnetism?
Ans: Electricity and magnetism are interrelated; moving electric charges produce
magnetic fields, and changing magnetic fields induce electric currents.
6. What is electromagnetic induction?
Ans: Electromagnetic induction is the process of generating an electric current by
changing the magnetic field in a closed circuit.
7. What is Faraday's Law?
Ans: Faraday's Law states that the induced electromotive force (EMF) in a circuit is
proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit.
8. What is Maxwell's contribution to electromagnetism?
Ans: James Clerk Maxwell formulated a set of equations (Maxwell's equations) that
describe how electric and magnetic fields interact and propagate as
electromagnetic waves.
1|P age
Physics Class-11
9. What are electromagnetic waves?
Ans: Electromagnetic waves are waves of electric and magnetic fields that propagate
through space at the speed of light (e.g., light, radio waves, X-rays).
10. What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?
Ans: The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is approximately 3×108 m/s
(speed of light).
11. What is the Lorentz force?
Ans: The Lorentz force is the combined force experienced by a charged particle due
to electric and magnetic fields: F=q(E+v×B).
12. What is Gauss's Law?
Ans: Gauss's Law states that the total electric flux through a closed surface is
proportional to the total charge enclosed within that surface.
13. What is Ampere's Law?
Ans: Ampere's Law relates the magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric
current passing through the loop.
14. What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator?
Ans: A conductor allows the flow of electric charges, while an insulator resists the
flow of electric charges.
15. What is a solenoid?
Ans: A solenoid is a coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when an electric
current passes through it.
16. What is the right-hand rule?
Ans: The right-hand rule is used to determine the direction of magnetic fields, forces,
or currents in electromagnetism.
17. What is electromagnetic spectrum?
Ans: The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic
radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays.
18. What is the unit of electric charge?
Ans: The unit of electric charge is the Coulomb (C).
2|P age
Physics Class-11
19. What is the unit of magnetic field strength?
Ans: The unit of magnetic field strength is the Tesla (T) or Gauss (G).
20. What is the significance of electromagnetism in daily life?
Ans: Electromagnetism is essential for technologies like electricity generation,
motors, communication devices, and electronics.
21. What is the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field?
Ans: A current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force
perpendicular to both the current direction and the magnetic field.
22. What is the direction of the force on a current-carrying conductor?
Ans: The direction of the force is given by Fleming's Left-Hand Rule.
23. What is Fleming's Left-Hand Rule?
Ans: Fleming's Left-Hand Rule states:
Thumb = Direction of force (F)
Index finger = Direction of magnetic field (B)
Middle finger = Direction of current (I)
24. What is the formula for the force on a current-carrying conductor?
Ans: The force is given by:
F=I⋅L⋅B⋅sinθ
Where:
F = Force
I = Current
L = Length of the conductor
B = Magnetic field strength
θ = Angle between current and magnetic field.
25. When is the force on a current-carrying conductor maximum?
Ans: The force is maximum when the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field
(θ=90).
26. When is the force on a current-carrying conductor zero?
Ans: The force is zero when the current is parallel to the magnetic field
(θ=0 or 180).
3|P age
Physics Class-11
27. What is the unit of force on a current-carrying conductor?
Ans: The unit of force is the Newton (N).
28. What is the effect of increasing current on the force?
Ans: Increasing the current increases the force on the conductor.
29. What is the effect of increasing the magnetic field on the force?
Ans: Increasing the magnetic field strength increases the force on the conductor.
30. What is the effect of increasing the length of the conductor on the force?
Ans: Increasing the length of the conductor increases the force.
31. What is a current loop in a magnetic field?
Ans: A current loop is a closed circuit carrying current, which experiences a torque
when placed in a magnetic field.
32. What is the torque on a current loop in a magnetic field?
Ans: The torque (τ) on a current loop is given by: τ=n⋅I⋅A⋅B⋅sinθ
Where:
n = Number of turns in the loop
I = Current
A = Area of the loop
B = Magnetic field strength
θ = Angle between the normal to the loop and the magnetic field.
33. What is the principle of an electric motor?
Ans: An electric motor works on the principle that a current-carrying conductor in a
magnetic field experiences a force, causing rotational motion.
34. What is the force between two parallel current-carrying conductors?
Ans: Two parallel current-carrying conductors attract each other if currents are in
the same direction and repel if currents are in opposite directions.
35. What is the formula for the force between two parallel conductors?
Ans: The force per unit length between two parallel conductors is:
m
=
Where:
μ0 = Permeability of free space
4|P age
Physics Class-11
I1,I2 = Currents in the conductors
d = Distance between the conductors.
36. What is the role of the magnetic field in the force on a conductor?
Ans: The magnetic field provides the medium through which the force acts on the
current-carrying conductor.
37. What happens if the direction of the current is reversed?
Ans: If the direction of the current is reversed, the direction of the force on the
conductor also reverses.
38. What is the practical application of forces on current-carrying conductors?
Ans: Applications include electric motors, galvanometers, and loudspeakers.
39. What is a galvanometer?
Ans: A galvanometer is a device that detects small electric currents by using the force
on a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field.
40. What is the significance of the angle θ in the force equation?
Ans: The angle θ determines the component of the magnetic field that is
perpendicular to the current, affecting the magnitude of the force.
41. What is electromagnetic induction?
Ans: Electromagnetic induction is the process of generating an electric current or
EMF in a conductor by changing the magnetic field around it.
42. Who discovered electromagnetic induction?
Ans: Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction in 1831.
43. What is Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction?
Ans: Faraday's Law states that the induced EMF in a circuit is equal to the negative
rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit:
=
44. What is magnetic flux (ΦB)?
Ans: Magnetic flux is the product of the magnetic field (B), the area (A) through
which it passes, and the cosine of the angle (θθ) between the field and the
normal to the area: ΦB=B⋅A⋅cosθ
5|P age
Physics Class-11
45. What is the unit of magnetic flux?
Ans: The unit of magnetic flux is the Weber (Wb).
46. What is Lenz's Law?
Ans: Lenz's Law states that the direction of the induced current is such that it
opposes the change in magnetic flux that caused it.
47. What is the significance of the negative sign in Faraday's Law?
Ans: The negative sign represents Lenz's Law, indicating that the induced EMF
opposes the change in magnetic flux.
48. What are the ways to induce an EMF in a conductor?
Ans: An EMF can be induced by:
Changing the magnetic field strength (B).
Changing the area (A) of the loop.
Changing the orientation (θ) of the loop relative to the magnetic field.
49. What is induced EMF?
Ans: Induced EMF is the voltage generated in a conductor due to a change in
magnetic flux.
50. What is the unit of induced EMF?
Ans: The unit of induced EMF is the Volt (V).
51. What is a practical application of electromagnetic induction?
Ans: Applications include electric generators, transformers, induction cooktops, and
wireless charging.
52. What is an electric generator?
Ans: An electric generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy using
electromagnetic induction by rotating a coil in a magnetic field.
53. What is a transformer?
Ans: A transformer is a device that uses electromagnetic induction to transfer
electrical energy between two coils by changing the voltage and current levels.
54. What is mutual induction?
Ans: Mutual induction occurs when a changing current in one coil induces an EMF in
a nearby coil.
6|P age
Physics Class-11
55. What is self-induction?
Ans: Self-induction occurs when a changing current in a coil induces an EMF in the
same coil.
56. What are eddy currents?
Ans: Eddy currents are loops of induced current in a conductor due to a changing
magnetic field, often causing energy loss in transformers.
57. What is the difference between static and dynamic EMF?
Ans: Static EMF is produced by a steady magnetic field, while dynamic EMF is
produced by a changing magnetic field (electromagnetic induction).
58. What is the role of a coil in electromagnetic induction?
Ans: A coil increases the number of turns (N), which multiplies the induced EMF:
= -N
59. What happens if the magnetic flux is constant?
Ans: If the magnetic flux is constant, no EMF is induced (E=0).
60. What is the significance of electromagnetic induction in daily life?
Ans: Electromagnetic induction is essential for power generation, electric motors,
transformers, and wireless technologies.
61. What does magnetic flux mean?
Ans: Magnetic flux is the measure of the total magnetic field passing through a given
area.
62. What's Lenz's Law?
Ans: Lenz's Law states that the induced EMF will generate a current in a direction
that opposes the change in magnetic flux causing it.
63. How does Faraday's Law apply to transformers?
Ans: In transformers, Faraday's Law explains how changing current in one coil
induces voltage in another coil via changing magnetic flux.
64. What's the significance of the minus sign in Faraday's equation?
Ans: The minus sign indicates the direction of the induced EMF (Lenz's Law), which
opposes the change in magnetic flux.
7|P age
Physics Class-11
65. Can Faraday's Law be used for DC?
Ans: For steady DC, no, as there's no change in magnetic flux. But if the current
changes, then yes, it applies.
66. What's an example of Faraday's Law in everyday life?
Ans: Induction cooktops use Faraday's Law; the changing magnetic field from the
coils induces currents in the cookware, heating it up.
67. How is Lenz's Law related to Faraday's Law?
Ans: Lenz's Law describes the direction of the induced EMF in Faraday's Law, with
the negative sign indicating opposition.
68. Why does Lenz's Law matter?
Ans: It ensures energy conservation by opposing changes, thus preventing perpetual
motion from induced currents.
69. Example of Lenz's Law in action?
Ans: When a magnet falls through a coil, the induced current in the coil creates a
magnetic field opposing the magnet's motion.
70. What does Lenz's Law imply about efficiency in electromagnetic systems?
Ans: It implies that there's always some energy loss due to the opposition to the
change in magnetic flux.
71. Can Lenz's Law be observed in daily life?
Ans: Yes, when you swipe a credit card with a magnetic strip, the induced current
opposes the card's motion, slightly resisting the swipe.
72. How does Lenz's Law affect magnetic braking?
Ans: In magnetic braking, the induced current in a conductor near a magnet
generates a force opposing motion, slowing it down.
73. What causes magnetic force between conductors?
Ans: The magnetic fields created by currents in conductors interact, resulting in
forces between them.
8|P age
Physics Class-11
74. What's the direction of this force?
Ans: It follows the right-hand rule: if you point your thumb in the direction of the
current, your fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field around the
conductor. The force direction is determined by how these fields interact.
75. Are the forces attractive or repulsive?
Ans: Parallel conductors with currents in the same direction attract each other;
opposite directions repel.
76. What happens if the currents are in opposite directions?
Ans: The magnetic fields oppose each other, resulting in a repulsive force.
77. How does distance affect the force?
Ans: The force decreases inversely proportional to the distance between the
conductors.
78. Can this principle be used in practical applications?
Ans: Yes, for example, in magnetic levitation (maglev) trains where opposite currents
can be used for levitation.
79. What's the significance in circuit boards?
Ans: Close parallel wires can cause unintended forces, affecting signal integrity or
causing mechanical stress.
80. What is magnetic flux?
Ans: Magnetic flux is the measure of the total magnetic field passing through a given
surface, symbolized by Φ .
81. How do you calculate magnetic flux?
Ans: ΦB = B⋅A⋅cos(θ), where is the magnetic field strength, is the area, and
is the angle between and the normal to .
82. What's the unit of magnetic flux?
Ans: The SI unit is the weber (Wb).
83. What is magnetic flux density?
Ans: Also known as magnetic field strength, it's the amount of magnetic flux per unit
area, denoted by .
9|P age
Physics Class-11
84. What's the unit for magnetic flux density?
Ans: The SI unit is the tesla (T), where 1 T = 1 Wb/m².
85. How are magnetic flux and flux density related?
Ans: Flux density is the magnetic flux Φ divided by the area through which it
passes.
86. Can magnetic flux be negative?
Ans: Yes, if the magnetic field vector points opposite to the normal vector of the
area, making cos ( ) negative.
87. How does flux change with orientation?
Ans: It's maximum when the magnetic field is perpendicular to the area and zero
when parallel.
88. What does a higher magnetic flux density imply?
Ans: A higher flux density means a stronger magnetic field in that region.
89. Why is magnetic flux important in electromagnetism?
Ans: It's crucial for understanding induction, where changes in magnetic flux induce
electromotive force (EMF).
90. What is a seismometer?
Ans: A seismometer is an instrument that measures motion of the ground, primarily
used to detect seismic waves from earthquakes.
91. How does a seismometer work?
Ans: It typically uses a mass suspended on a spring or pendulum, which remains
relatively stationary while the ground moves, recording the relative motion.
92. What's the difference between a seismometer and a seismograph?
Ans: A seismometer measures motion, while a seismograph records this motion over
time on a physical or digital medium.
93. What are the main types of seismometers?
Ans: There are inertial seismometers (mass-spring systems), strain seismometers,
and modern electronic types like geophones and accelerometers.
10 | P a g e
Physics Class-11
94. What is measured by a seismometer?
Ans: It measures ground displacement, velocity, or acceleration due to seismic
waves.
95. What's the frequency range of a seismometer?
Ans: They can be sensitive to frequencies from less than 0.01 Hz for long-period
waves to over 100 Hz for high-frequency signals.
96. Are seismometers used only for earthquakes?
Ans: No, they're also used for studying other seismic sources like volcanic activity,
nuclear tests, and even ambient noise from human activity.
97. What is the sensitivity of modern seismometers?
Ans: Very high; some can detect ground movements smaller than the size of an
atom.
98. How is data from a seismometer used?
Ans: It's used for locating earthquakes, studying earth's interior, monitoring seismic
hazards, and in oil and gas exploration.
99. Where are seismometers placed?
Ans: They can be on the surface, in boreholes, or at the ocean bottom for global
seismic networks or local monitoring.
100. What kind of path does the particle follow?
Ans: The particle follows a circular path.
101. Why does it move in a circle?
Ans: The magnetic force (Lorentz force) F⃗ = q(v⃗ x B⃗) acts perpendicular to both
velocity and magnetic field, providing centripetal force.
102. What determines the radius of the circular path?
Ans: r= , where is mass, is velocity, is charge, and is magnetic field
strength.
103. Does the speed of the particle change?
Ans: No, because the magnetic force does no work; it's always perpendicular to the
motion direction.
11 | P a g e
Physics Class-11
104. What's the frequency of this circular motion?
Ans: f= , called the cyclotron frequency or gyrofrequency.
105. How does charge polarity affect the motion?
Ans: The direction of the circular path changes; positive charges curve one way,
negative charges the opposite.
106. Can this motion be used in technology?
Ans: Yes, in devices like cyclotrons and mass spectrometers where particles are
separated by mass.
107. What happens if there's a component of velocity parallel to the field?
Ans: The particle will move in a helix, combining the circular motion with linear
motion along the magnetic field.
108. How does the magnetic field strength affect the motion?
Ans: Stronger fields result in tighter circles (smaller radius) and higher cyclotron
frequencies.
109. What happens if the field is not uniform?
Ans: The motion can become more complex, possibly leading to spiraling or drift if
the gradient is significant.
12 | P a g e
