CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter-12 Important Questions with Answers - Free PDF Download
Important Questions for CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 12 - Magnetic Effects of Electric Current 2024-25
FAQs on Important Questions for CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 12 - Magnetic Effects of Electric Current 2024-25
1. What are the key properties of magnetic field lines that are important for the CBSE Class 10 exam 2025-26?
The key properties of magnetic field lines important for the exam are:
- They emerge from the North pole and merge at the South pole outside the magnet, forming continuous closed loops.
- Inside the magnet, their direction is from the South to the North pole.
- They never intersect each other, as a single point cannot have two directions for a magnetic field.
- The density of the lines indicates field strength; closer lines mean a stronger magnetic field.
2. How is the direction of the magnetic field around a straight current-carrying conductor determined? State the relevant rule.
The direction of the magnetic field is determined using the Right-Hand Thumb Rule. It states that if you imagine holding the current-carrying wire in your right hand such that your thumb points in the direction of the electric current, then the direction in which your fingers encircle the wire indicates the direction of the magnetic field lines.
3. What is a solenoid, and how would you describe the magnetic field it produces for a 3-mark question?
A solenoid is a coil with many circular turns of insulated copper wire wound closely in the shape of a cylinder. When current flows through it, the magnetic field produced has the following features:
- The field is very similar to that of a bar magnet, with distinct North and South poles.
- Inside the solenoid, the magnetic field is strong, uniform, and represented by parallel straight lines.
- The strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the current and the number of turns per unit length.
4. State the working principle of an electric motor. What are the specific functions of the split ring and brushes?
An electric motor works on the principle that a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force, causing it to rotate. The functions of its key parts are:
- Split Ring (Commutator): Its primary function is to reverse the direction of current in the coil after every half rotation. This ensures the coil continues to rotate in the same direction.
- Brushes: These carbon components maintain a sliding contact with the rotating split rings, allowing them to transfer current from the external power source to the armature coil.
5. Explain the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, a frequently asked concept in board exams.
Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) is the process of generating an electric current in a coil by changing the magnetic field around it. This change can be produced by:
- Moving a magnet relative to the coil.
- Moving the coil in a magnetic field.
- Changing the current in a nearby coil (secondary coil).
6. What is the essential difference between an AC generator and a DC generator?
The essential difference between an AC and a DC generator lies in the component used to collect the current from the rotating coil:
- An AC generator uses two full metallic rings called slip rings. They allow the current to reverse its direction after every half rotation, producing an alternating current.
- A DC generator uses a split-ring commutator. This device reverses the current's direction, ensuring the output in the external circuit flows in only one direction, producing a direct current.
7. For a 5-mark question, how would you explain the working principle and construction of an electric generator?
An electric generator operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. When a rectangular coil is rotated mechanically in a uniform magnetic field, the magnetic flux through the coil changes, which induces an electric current. Key points are:
- Construction: It consists of a rotating rectangular coil (armature), a strong magnetic field, rings (slip rings for AC or a split-ring for DC), and carbon brushes.
- Working: As the coil rotates, its arms cut the magnetic field lines. According to Fleming's Right-Hand Rule, an induced current is generated. After each half-rotation, the direction of motion of the arms reverses, which reverses the direction of the induced current, thereby producing AC.
8. What are the primary causes of short-circuiting and overloading in a domestic electric circuit?
These are two common electrical hazards:
- Short-circuiting: This occurs when the insulation of wires is damaged and the live wire comes into direct contact with the neutral wire. This drastically reduces the circuit's resistance, causing an extremely high current to flow.
- Overloading: This happens when too many high-power appliances are connected to a single socket or when there is an accidental hike in supply voltage. The circuit then draws more current than its rated capacity.
9. State Fleming's Left-Hand Rule and identify the physical quantities each finger represents.
Fleming's Left-Hand Rule is used to find the direction of force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. It states that if you stretch the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of your left hand so they are mutually perpendicular:
- The Forefinger indicates the direction of the Magnetic Field (B).
- The Middle finger indicates the direction of the Current (I).
- The Thumb indicates the direction of the Force or Motion (F).
10. What is an electric fuse and why is it considered a crucial safety device?
An electric fuse is a safety device containing a wire made of an alloy with a low melting point. It is crucial because it protects appliances and prevents fires by:
- Being connected in series with the live wire.
- Melting and breaking the circuit when the current exceeds a safe limit due to overloading or short-circuiting.
- Stopping the flow of dangerously high current to the appliance.
11. Why can two magnetic field lines never intersect? What would be the logical implication if they could?
Two magnetic field lines can never intersect because at any given point, the magnetic field has a single, unique direction. If two lines were to cross, it would imply that at the point of intersection, a compass needle would have to point in two different directions simultaneously. This is physically impossible and contradicts the nature of a vector field, where each point has only one resultant value and direction.
12. A positively charged alpha particle is projected towards the west and is deflected towards the north by a magnetic field. How can you determine the direction of this magnetic field?
We can use Fleming's Left-Hand Rule. The direction of motion of a positive charge is taken as the direction of conventional current.
- Direction of Current (Middle Finger): Towards the West.
- Direction of Force/Deflection (Thumb): Towards the North.
If you align your left hand's middle finger to the West and thumb to the North, your forefinger will point in the vertically upward direction. This is the direction of the magnetic field.
13. If the current in a circular loop is flowing clockwise, what is the direction of the magnetic field at its centre, and why does the field appear straight there?
Using the Right-Hand Thumb Rule for a circular loop, if the current is flowing clockwise, the magnetic field at the centre of the loop will be directed into the plane of the loop.
The magnetic field lines appear straight at the centre because the field at this point is the sum of fields from all parts of the loop. The arcs of the very large concentric magnetic field circles produced by each segment of the wire appear as nearly straight and parallel lines near the centre, resulting in a strong, uniform field perpendicular to the loop's plane.
14. Why is an earth wire essential for metallic appliances like a refrigerator but not for a plastic-cased device like a mobile charger?
The earth wire is a critical safety feature whose necessity depends on the appliance's casing material.
- Metallic Appliances: The metal body can conduct electricity. If a fault causes the live wire to touch the casing, the entire appliance becomes live. The earth wire provides a low-resistance path for this leakage current to flow safely to the ground, preventing electric shock.
- Plastic-Cased Devices: The plastic body is an insulator. It cannot conduct electricity, so there is no risk of the user getting a shock from the casing even if there is an internal fault. Therefore, an earth wire is not required.
15. A conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force 'F'. What will be the new force if the current through it is doubled and its length is simultaneously halved?
The force (F) experienced by a conductor is given by the formula F = B × I × L, where B is the magnetic field, I is the current, and L is the length.
Let the initial force be F₁ = B × I × L.
The new current, I' = 2I.
The new length, L' = L/2.
The new force, F₂ = B × (2I) × (L/2).
F₂ = B × I × L.
Therefore, F₂ = F₁. The magnitude of the force experienced by the conductor will remain unchanged.

















