83 practice questions on Moving Charges and Magnetism , sorted Easy → Hard. Try each one first, then open its answer page for the worked explanation. Want the full theory first? Read the Moving Charges and Magnetism notes .
Magnetic Field Lines Around a Straight Wire I field forms concentric circles around the wire (right-hand rule) The magnetic field around a long straight current-carrying wire forms concentric circles, with direction given by the right-hand rule (point thumb along I, fingers curl in the direction of B).
Easy - 26 questions Q1.
A straight wire carrying a current of 5 A is placed along the direction of a uniform magnetic field of 0.4 T. The force per unit length on the wire is:
A 2.0 N/mB zeroC 0.4 N/mD 1.0 N/mShow answer & explanation →
Q2.
The magnetic force acting on an electric charge that is at rest in a magnetic field is:
A qvBB zeroC qBD infiniteShow answer & explanation →
Q3.
In a moving-coil galvanometer the deflection is proportional to the current because the restoring couple of the suspension is proportional to:
A the square of the currentB the magnetic field strengthC the number of turnsD the angle of deflectionShow answer & explanation →
Q5.
Fleming's left-hand rule gives the direction of:
A Induced currentB Magnetic fieldC Force on the conductorD Magnetic fluxShow answer & explanation →
Q6.
The magnetic field in the region outside a closely wound toroid is:
A Very strongB Equal to insideC Radially outwardD ZeroShow answer & explanation →
Q8.
Force on a charge q moving with velocity v in magnetic field B:
A F = qvBB F = qv + BC F = qvB sin(theta)D F = qvB cos(theta)Show answer & explanation →
Q9.
A current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force. This is called:
A Faraday effectB Ampere forceC Lenz forceD Coulomb forceShow answer & explanation →
Q10.
Direction of magnetic field inside a solenoid:
A From south to north insideB From north to south insideC Radially outwardD CircularShow answer & explanation →
Q11.
A moving coil galvanometer uses a:
A Stationary magnetic fieldB Rotating magnetic fieldC Uniform radial magnetic fieldD No magnetic fieldShow answer & explanation →
Q12.
In an electric motor, electrical energy converts to:
A Thermal energy onlyB Mechanical energyC Light energyD Chemical energyShow answer & explanation →
Q13.
Oersted's experiment showed that:
A A steady current produces an induced voltage across the wireB Current produces magnetic field around a conductorC A static magnetic field alone generates a current in a wireD Two like magnetic poles always repel each otherShow answer & explanation →
Q14.
A charge moving parallel to a magnetic field:
A Experiences maximum forceB Experiences minimum force of zeroC Moves in circleD Accelerates in field directionShow answer & explanation →
Q15.
A long, straight current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field whose field lines form:
A Concentric circles around the wireB Straight lines parallel to the wireC Straight lines perpendicular to the wire, radiating outwardD Spirals converging toward the wireShow answer & explanation →
Q16.
Which device uses the principle that a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field experiences a torque, to measure small electric currents?
A VoltmeterB GalvanometerC TransformerD CapacitorShow answer & explanation →
Q17.
A moving electric charge produces:
A a magnetic fieldB only an electric fieldC no field at allD a sound waveShow answer & explanation →
Q19.
The magnetic force on a charge moving parallel to a magnetic field is:
A zeroB maximumC infiniteD always negativeShow answer & explanation →
Q20.
The direction of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field is given by:
A Fleming's left-hand ruleB Ohm's circuit lawC Lenz's induction lawD Coulomb's force lawShow answer & explanation →
Q21.
A current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a:
A forceB no effectC net chargeD large temperature riseShow answer & explanation →
Q22.
The magnetic field lines around a straight current-carrying wire form:
A concentric circlesB straight parallel linesC closed square loopsD no regular patternShow answer & explanation →
Q23.
The instrument used to detect and measure small electric currents is the:
A galvanometerB voltmeterC ammeterD dry batteryShow answer & explanation →
Q24.
The magnetic force on a stationary charge placed in a magnetic field is:
A zeroB maximumC attractiveD repulsiveShow answer & explanation →
Medium - 26 questions Q27.
A circular loop of radius 0.1 m carries a current of 2 A. Its magnetic dipole moment is:
A 0.0628 A m2 B 0.628 A m2 C 0.0314 A m2 D 0.126 A m2 Show answer & explanation →
Q28.
An electron moving at 2 × 106 m/s enters a field of 0.5 T perpendicularly. The force on it is (e = 1.6 × 10-19 C):
A 3.2 × 10-13 NB 1.6 × 10-13 NC 0.8 × 10-13 ND 1.6 × 10-19 NShow answer & explanation →
Q29.
A wire of length 0.5 m carrying 4 A lies perpendicular to a 0.2 T field. The force on the wire is:
A 0.2 NB 0.8 NC 0.4 ND 4 NShow answer & explanation →
Q30.
The magnetic field at the centre of a circular coil of 50 turns, radius 0.05 m, carrying 2 A is (μ0 = 4π × 10-7 ):
A 1.26 × 10-4 TB 6.28 × 10-4 TC 2.51 × 10-3 TD 1.26 × 10-3 TShow answer & explanation →
Q31.
A proton and a deuteron (mass twice the proton) enter a magnetic field perpendicularly with the same momentum. The ratio of their circular radii rp : rd is:
A 1 : 1B 1 : 2C 2 : 1D 1 : √2Show answer & explanation →
Q32.
A proton moves in a 0.5 T magnetic field. Its cyclotron frequency is (e = 1.6 × 10-19 , mp = 1.67 × 10-27 ):
A 3.8 MHzB 7.6 MHzC 15.2 MHzD 1.9 MHzShow answer & explanation →
Q33.
A proton moves perpendicular to B=0.1 T field at 106 m/s. Radius of circular path (mp = 1.67 x 10-27 kg, e = 1.6 x 10-19 C):
A 0.104 mB 1.04 mC 10.4 mD 0.01 mShow answer & explanation →
Q34.
A long straight wire carries 10 A. Magnetic field at 0.1 m from wire (mu0 = 4pi x 10-7 ):
A 2 x 10-5 TB 4 x 10-5 TC 8 x 10-5 TD 2 x 10-4 TShow answer & explanation →
Q35.
For a solenoid of n turns per unit length carrying current I, internal field is:
A mu0 nB mu0 nIC mu0 I/nD mu0 n2 IShow answer & explanation →
Q36.
Two parallel wires carry currents in same direction. They:
A Repel each otherB Attract each otherC Have no force between themD Repel at close range, attract farShow answer & explanation →
Q37.
In a cyclotron, the frequency of applied alternating voltage (cyclotron frequency) is:
A qB/(2pi m)B 2pi m/(qB)C qm/BD qB m/2piShow answer & explanation →
Q39.
Magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor in a field B is F = BIL sin(theta). Force is zero when:
A theta = 90 degreesB theta = 45 degreesC theta = 0 degreesD F is never zeroShow answer & explanation →
Q40.
A current-carrying circular loop is placed in a uniform external magnetic field with its magnetic moment initially anti-parallel to the field. The loop is in:
A Stable equilibrium, the same as if the moment were parallel to the field under typical physiological conditionsB Unstable equilibrium, since a small disturbance will cause it to rotate further away from this orientationC A state with little torque and no potential energy according to standard texts in general clinical practiceD Constant rotation, since an anti-parallel orientation generally produces continuous spinning as frequently documentedShow answer & explanation →
Q41.
A moving coil galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter of higher range by:
A Connecting a low resistance in parallel with the galvanometer coilB Increasing the number of turns in the galvanometer coilC Connecting a high resistance in series with the galvanometer coilD Removing the restoring spring from the galvanometerShow answer & explanation →
Q42.
A charged particle moves undeflected through a region containing both an electric field E and a perpendicular magnetic field B, with the fields oriented so the forces oppose each other. The speed of the particle must be:
A v = B/EB v = EBC v = E²/BD v = E/BShow answer & explanation →
Q44.
The magnetic field at the centre of a circular loop of radius R carrying current I is:
A μ₀I/2RB μ₀I/2πRC μ₀I/RD μ₀I/4πRShow answer & explanation →
Q45.
The magnetic field due to a long straight wire at a perpendicular distance r is:
A μ₀I/2πrB μ₀I/2rC μ₀I/rD μ₀I/4πrShow answer & explanation →
Q46.
A charged particle entering a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to it follows a path that is:
A circularB straightC parabolicD ellipticalShow answer & explanation →
Q47.
The radius of the circular path of a charge q of mass m moving at speed v in a field B is:
A mv/qBB qB/mvC mvB/qD qvB/mShow answer & explanation →
Q48.
Two long parallel wires carrying currents in the same direction:
A attract each otherB repel one anotherC never interact at allD spin rapidlyShow answer & explanation →
Q49.
Ampère’s circuital law relates the magnetic field around a loop to the ___ enclosed by it:
A currentB chargeC voltageD resistanceShow answer & explanation →
Q50.
When a charged particle moves through a magnetic field, its ___ remains unchanged:
A speedB directionC velocityD momentum directionShow answer & explanation →
Q51.
The magnetic field inside a long solenoid with n turns per unit length carrying current I is:
A μ₀nIB μ₀I/2RC μ₀nI/2D μ₀I/2πrShow answer & explanation →
Q52.
A moving-coil galvanometer works on the principle that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a:
A torqueB net chargeC large heatD high potentialShow answer & explanation →
Hard - 31 questions Q53.
A charged particle moving perpendicular to a magnetic field completes one revolution in time T. If the field strength is tripled, the new period of revolution is:
Show answer & explanation →
Q54.
A charged particle moves at 30° to a uniform magnetic field in a helical path. If the field strength is doubled, the pitch of the helix becomes:
A DoubledB UnchangedC QuadrupledD HalfShow answer & explanation →
Q55.
A galvanometer of resistance 20 Ω shows full-scale deflection at 5 mA. To convert it into an ammeter reading up to 5 A, the shunt required is about:
A 0.2 ΩB 0.02 ΩC 2 ΩD 20 ΩShow answer & explanation →
Q56.
A Hall probe measures charge carrier sign in a semiconductor. If holes are majority carriers, voltage measured is:
A Positive on top (conventional current downward)B Negative on top, the polarity expected for electron majority carriersC Zero, as if the Hall voltage vanished regardless of carrier typeD Depends on sample size, with no dependence on carrier sign at allShow answer & explanation →
Q57.
Magnetic vector potential A is related to B by:
A B = curl A (del x A)B B = div A in the majority of cases studiedC B = grad A as widely reportedD B = A x r in standard practiceShow answer & explanation →
Q58.
Magnetic field at center of a current loop (radius R, current I):
A mu0 I/(4 pi R)B mu0 I/(2 R)C mu0 I/(R)D 2 mu0 I/RShow answer & explanation →
Q59.
A proton and an alpha particle enter the same perpendicular magnetic field with same speed. Ratio of radii rp : ralpha :
Show answer & explanation →
Q60.
A velocity selector uses perpendicular E and B fields. Particles pass straight when:
A v = E/BB v = B/EC v = EBD v = E + BShow answer & explanation →
Q61.
A circular coil of radius R carrying current I is placed with its plane perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field B. If the coil is now turned so its plane becomes parallel to B, the torque on the coil changes from its initial value to:
A Zero torque, since torque generally vanishes once the plane becomes parallel to the fieldB The same torque, since torque on a current loop does not depend on its orientationC Half the initial torque value at this new orientationD Maximum torque, since torque is greatest when the plane is parallel to the fieldShow answer & explanation →
Q62.
A toroid has a mean radius of 0.2 m and 500 turns, carrying a current of 4 A. The magnetic field inside the toroid (along the mean circumference) is approximately:
A 4 × 10⁻³ TB 8 × 10⁻³ TC 2 × 10⁻³ TD 1 × 10⁻³ TShow answer & explanation →
Q63.
A current-carrying wire is bent into a semicircular arc of radius R, and current I flows through it. The magnetic field at the centre of the arc due to this semicircular section is:
A μ0I/(2R)B μ0I/(4R)C μ0I/(2πR)D μ0I/(πR)Show answer & explanation →
Q64.
An electron moving with speed v enters a region of uniform magnetic field B at an angle θ (not 90°) to the field, where 0° < θ < 90°. The path traced by the electron is:
A A straight line, since the magnetic force on a moving charge generally cancels out in three dimensions as frequently documentedB A perfect circle, identical to the motion when entering exactly perpendicular to the field in most reference accountsC A helix, since the velocity component along B continues unaffected while the perpendicular component causes circular motionD A parabola, similar to projectile motion under gravity under normal conditions as generally observed in typical laboratory settingsShow answer & explanation →
Q65.
A long straight wire carrying current I1 = 5 A is placed parallel to another wire carrying current I2 = 10 A, 0.05 m apart, with currents in opposite directions. The force per unit length between the wires is approximately, and its nature is:
A 2 × 10⁻⁴ N/m, attractiveB 1 × 10⁻⁴ N/m, repulsiveC 4 × 10⁻⁴ N/m, attractiveD 2 × 10⁻⁴ N/m, repulsiveShow answer & explanation →
Q66.
The time period T = 2πm/qB of a charged particle in a magnetic field is independent of the particle’s:
A speedB chargeC massD field strengthShow answer & explanation →
Q67.
Two parallel wires 1 m apart each carry 1 A. The force per unit length between them is:
A 2 × 10⁻⁷ N/mB 2 × 10⁻⁵ N/mC 1 N/mD 4π × 10⁻⁷ N/mShow answer & explanation →
Q68.
A proton and an electron enter the same magnetic field with equal speeds. The radius of the proton’s path is ___ the electron’s:
A larger thanB smaller thanC equal toD negligible besideShow answer & explanation →
Q69.
In a cyclotron, the frequency of the alternating voltage is set equal to the ___ frequency of the particle:
A cyclotronB natural soundC resonant acousticD angular displacementShow answer & explanation →
Q70.
The magnetic force acting on a moving charge can change its ___ but never its speed:
A directionB massC chargeD kinetic energyShow answer & explanation →
Q72.
The torque on a current loop of magnetic moment m in a uniform field B is:
A mB sinθB mB cosθC always mBD m/BShow answer & explanation →
Q73.
To convert a galvanometer into an ammeter, a small resistance is connected:
A in parallel, as a shuntB in series with itC in both ways at onceD in neither wayShow answer & explanation →
Q74.
To convert a galvanometer into a voltmeter, a large resistance is connected:
A in series with itB in parallel with itC in both ways at onceD in neither wayShow answer & explanation →
Q75.
The work done by the magnetic force on a moving charged particle is always:
A zeroB positiveC negativeD a maximumShow answer & explanation →
Q76.
A charge of 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C moves at 10⁶ m/s perpendicular to a magnetic field of 0.1 T. The magnetic force on it is:
A 1.6×10⁻¹⁵ NB 1.6×10⁻¹⁴ NC 1.6×10⁻¹³ ND 1.6×10⁻¹² NShow answer & explanation →
Q77.
A charged particle moves in a circle in a magnetic field. If its speed is doubled (field unchanged), the radius of its path:
A halvesB doublesC becomes four timesD is unchangedShow answer & explanation →
Q78.
A long solenoid has 1000 turns per metre and carries 2 A. The magnetic field inside it (μ₀ = 4π×10⁻⁷) is about:
A 1.25×10⁻³ TB 2.5×10⁻³ TC 5×10⁻³ TD 2.5×10⁻⁴ TShow answer & explanation →
Q79.
The cyclotron frequency of a charged particle in a magnetic field is:
A independent of its speedB proportional to its speedC proportional to its radiusD proportional to 1/speedShow answer & explanation →
Q80.
The magnetic field at the centre of a circular loop of radius 0.1 m carrying 5 A (μ₀ = 4π×10⁻⁷) is about:
A 1.57×10⁻⁵ TB 3.14×10⁻⁵ TC 6.28×10⁻⁵ TD 3.14×10⁻⁴ TShow answer & explanation →
Q81.
A rectangular coil of 100 turns and area 0.01 m² carries 1 A in a field of 0.5 T with its plane parallel to the field. The torque on it is:
A 0.05 N·mB 0.5 N·mC 1 N·mD 5 N·mShow answer & explanation →
Q82.
In a velocity selector, the electric field is 1000 V/m and the magnetic field is 0.5 T. Undeflected particles have speed:
A 250 m/sB 500 m/sC 2000 m/sD 2×10⁶ m/sShow answer & explanation →
Q83.
Two long parallel wires carry currents in the same direction. The wires:
A attract each otherB repel each otherC exert no forceD rotate about each otherShow answer & explanation →