Class 10 Science Chapter 12 Question Answers - Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Q1: What is the magnetic effect of electric current?
Ans: The magnetic effect of electric current refers to the phenomenon where a magnetic field is created around a conductor when an electric current passes through it.

Q2: Who discovered the magnetic effect of electric current?
Ans: Hans Christian Oersted discovered the magnetic effect of electric current in 1820.

Q3: What is an electromagnet?
Ans: An electromagnet is a magnet created by passing electric current through a coil of wire wrapped around a magnetic material, such as iron.

Q4: What happens when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field?
Ans: When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a force, and this force is called the Lorentz force.

Q5: What is Fleming’s left-hand rule?
Ans: Fleming's left-hand rule is a method used to determine the direction of force experienced by a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. According to this rule, if the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of the left hand are held perpendicular to each other, the thumb gives the direction of the force, the forefinger gives the direction of the magnetic field, and the middle finger gives the direction of the current.

Q6: How does the strength of an electromagnet change?
Ans: The strength of an electromagnet can be increased by increasing the number of turns of the coil, increasing the current, or using a stronger magnetic material.

Q7: What is the role of a solenoid in generating a magnetic field?
Ans: A solenoid is a long coil of wire that generates a uniform magnetic field when an electric current flows through it, making it useful in devices like electromagnets and electric motors.

Q8: What is the direction of the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying conductor?
Ans: The direction of the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying conductor can be determined using the right-hand thumb rule. When the right hand is wrapped around the conductor with the thumb in the direction of the current, the fingers show the direction of the magnetic field.

Q9: What is the use of a galvanometer?
Ans: A galvanometer is used to detect and measure small electric currents by indicating the deflection of a needle in response to the current passing through a coil within a magnetic field.

Q10: How does the current affect the magnetic field?
Ans: The strength of the magnetic field increases with an increase in the amount of current flowing through the conductor.

Q11: How does reversing the direction of current affect the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field?
Ans: Reversing the direction of current reverses the direction of the force experienced by the conductor, as predicted by Fleming's left-hand rule.

Q12: What is the application of magnetic fields in medical technology?
Ans: Magnetic fields are used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which helps in obtaining images of different body parts for medical diagnosis.