CLASS IX Physics

Short Response questions (Chapter # 08-Magetism)

Q:01 Can two magnetic field lines intersect each other? Justify your answer.
Answer:
The neutral zone or field-free region of a magnetic field is a region where the magnetic field
strength is extremely weak or nearly zero. In this area, the magnetic forces exerted by
surrounding magnetic sources cancel each other out, resulting in a net magnetic field of
nearly zero intensity.
This neutral zone is often found between two magnets with opposing poles facing each other
or in certain configurations of magnetic materials where magnetic fields from different
sources counterbalance each other. Understanding and controlling the neutral zone is
important in various applications such as magnetic shielding, where minimizing magnetic
interference is essential.
Q2. A freely suspended magnet always points along -north-south direction. Why?
Ans: Earth behaves like a magnet. Earth's south pole attracts the north pole of magnet and
Earth's north pole attracts the south pole of magnet towards itself that is why a freely
suspended magnet always stay in N-S direction.
Q:03 What is the neutral zone or field free region of the magnetic field?
Ans: The neutral zone or field-free region of a magnetic field is a space when magnetic field
strength is negligible or closes to zero. In this area, t re the forces exerted by nearby
magnetic sources can he magnetic minimal magnetic influence
Neutral zones can be found between magnets with opposing poles facing each other, in
specific arrangements of magnetic materials, or in regions where magnetic fields from
different sources neutralize each other. These regions are significant in various applications,
including magnetic shielding and magnetic levitation, where precise control of magnetic
fields is essential.
magnetic field.
Examples of non-magnetic materials include most plastics, wood, glass, rubber, and
ceramics. These materials have either no magnetic domains or their magnetic domains are
randomly oriented, resulting in overall magnetic behaviour. Q:04 Is there any material which
does not have any magnetic behaviour? Justify your answer.
Answer:
Yes, there are materials that do not exhibit magnetic behaviour, and they are classified as
non-magnetic materials. Non-magnetic materials are those that are not attracted to magnets
and do not retain any magnetic properties when exposed to a magnetic field.
Examples of non-magnetic materials include most plastics, wood, glass, rubber, and
ceramics. These materials have either no magnetic domains or their magnetic domains are
randomly oriented, resulting in overall magnetic behaviour.
Q: 05 A proton is also a charged particle and spins like an electron. Why is its effect
neglected in study of magnetism?
Ans:
The effect of a proton's spin on magnetism is often neglected in the study of magnetism b e
c a u s e protons are significantly heavier than electrons, leading to a much smaller magnetic
moment associated with their spin. Additionally, the number of protons in most materials is
much smaller than the number of electrons, further reducing their overall contribution to the
material's magnetism. As a result, while protons possess a magnetic moment due to their
spin, their effect is typically overshadowed by the larger and more significant contributions of
electrons to the material's magnetic properties.
Q:06 What is the geomagnetic reversal phenomenon? Explain.
Ans:
The Earth's geographical and magnetic axes are not coincident due to The geomagnetic
reversal phenomenon involves the Earth's magnetic field differences in their underlying
causes. The geographical axis is determined by the reversing its polarity, where the
magnetic north pole becomes the south pole, and Earth's rotation and distribution of mass,
essentially defining its spin. It remains vice versa. This process occurs over thousands of
years and has happened relatively stable over geological timescales. n iron irregularly
throughout Earth's history, with the last reversal taking place about In contrast, the magnetic
axis is influenced by the movement of molten 780,000 years ago and nickel in the Earth's
outer core. The magnetic field weakens and may become disordered during a reversal,
field through the geo-dynamo process. The magnetic field is subject to variations potentially
affecting navigation' and communication systems that depend on and fluctuations, leading to
changes in the orientation of the magnetic axis over magnetic orientation. Despite these
changes, geomagnetic reversals are a natural time. Thus, while the geographical axis
remains constant, the magnetic axis is part of Earth's geological history and have not been
linked to any catastrophic dynamic, resulting in their misalignment events affecting the
biosphere.
Q# 07 Why the Earth spins about its geographical axis instead of its magnetic axis? Explain.
The Earth spins about its geographical axis rather than its magnetic axis due to the
conservation of angular momentum originating from when the planet was formed. The
geographical axis aligns with Earth's initial rotation, which has remained largely unchanged
due to the stability that rotation provides.
In contrast, the magnetic axis is determined by the dynamo action within Earth's liquid outer
core, which can change and does not influence the planet's rotation. Thus, Earth's rotation
around its geographical axis is a result of its initial momentum and ongoing physical stability.
Q# 08 Why the Earth's geographical and magnetic axis are not coincident? Explain.
Ans:
The Earth's geographical and magnetic axes are not coincident due to differences in their
underlying causes. The geographical axis is determined by the Earth's rotation and
distribution of mass, essentially defining its spin, It remains relatively stable over geological
timescales.
In contrast, the magnetic axis is influenced by the movement of molten iron and nickel in the
Earth's outer core. This motion generates the planet's magnetic field through the geo-
dynamo process. The magnetic field is subject to variations and fluctuations, leading to
changes in the orientation of the magnetic axis over time. Thus, while the geographical axis
remains constant, the magnetic axis is dynamic, resulting in their misalignment.
Q9. What is the difference between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials?
Ans:
Difference between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials:
Ferromagnetic Substances
(I) Substances which are weakly (i Substances which are strongly attracted by a magnet are
called attracted by magnet are called paramagnetic substances
ferromagnetic substances.
(Il) Paramagnetic materials lose their (il) Ferromagnetic materials retain some magnetism on
removal of the external magnetism on removal of external field and hence cannot be used to
and hence can be used to make permanent magnets
permanent magnets
(III) Iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium and platinum are some examples of dysprosium and their
alloys are some paramagnetic substances
examples of ferromagnetic substances.
Q# 10 At what factors the strength of the magnetic field of an electromagnet depends?
Ans: The strength of the magnetic field of an electromagnet depends on several
factors:
F = ILB Sin θ
(I) Current Strength:
The strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the current flowing through the
electromagnet. Higher current yields a stronger magnetic field.
(II) Number of Turns in the Coil
Increasing the number of turns in the coil amplifies the magnetic field strength. Each turn
adds to the cumulative magnetic effect.
(III) Core Material:
Using a ferromagnetic material like iron or steel as the core intensifies the magnetic field
because it easily magnetizes and retains magnetism.
(iv) Core Length;
Longer cores generally result in stronger magnetic fields as they provide more material for
magnetic flux.
(v) Core Cross-Sectional Area:
A larger cross-sectional area allows more magnetic flux to pass through, boosting the
magnetic field.
These factors collectively determine the strength of the magnetic field generated by an
electromagnet, making it adaptable for various applications by adjusting these parameters.