ARUL INSTITUTE, CHENNAI
CBSE – CLASS XII – PHYSICS – CHAPTER 5
MAGNETISM AND MATTER
EXERCISE PROBLEMS
5.1 A short bar magnet placed with its axis at 30° with a uniform external magnetic field of
0.25 T experiences a torque of magnitude equal to 4.5 x 10–2 J. What is the magnitude of
magnetic moment of the magnet?
Solution:
τ = mB sinθ
τ
m=
B sin θ
4.5 x 10 −2
m=
0.25 x sin 30o
4.5 x 10 −2
m=
1 1
x
4 2
m = 4.5 x 4 x 2 x 10–2
m = 36 x 10–2
m = 0.36 JT–1
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5.2 A short bar magnet of magnetic moment m = 0.32 JT–1 is placed in a uniform magnetic
field of 0.15 T. If the bar is free to rotate in the plane of the field, which orientation
would correspond to its (a) stable and (b) unstable equilibrium? What is the potential
energy of the magnet in each case?
Solution:
(a) A bar magnet is in stable equilibrium, if on disturbing from its equilibrium position,
it comes back to same equilibrium position again.
At θ = 0o, the equilibrium is stable
U = –mB cosθ
U = –0.32 x 0.15 x cos0o
U = –0.048 J (or) –4.8 x 10–2 J
(b) A bar magnet is in unstable equilibrium, if on disturbing from its equilibrium
position, it further gets disturbed and do not come back to same equilibrium
position again.
At θ = 180o, the equilibrium is unstable
U = –mB cosθ
U = –0.32 x 0.15 x cos180o
U = –0.048 x (–1)
U = +0.048 J (or) +4.8 x 10–2 J
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5.3 A closely wound solenoid of 800 turns and area of cross section 2.5 x 10–4 m2 carries a
current of 3.0 A. Explain the sense in which the solenoid acts like a bar magnet. What is
its associated magnetic moment?
Solution:
The distribution of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet is similar to that produced
by finite current carrying solenoid. This is evident from the fact that a compass needle
when moved around these two bodies show similar deflections.
m = NIA
m = 800 x 3 x 2.5 x 10–4
m = 8 x 3 x 2.5 x 10–2
m = 60 x 10–2
m = 0.6 JT–1
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5.4 If the solenoid in Exercise 5.3 is free to turn about the vertical direction and a uniform
horizontal magnetic field of 0.25 T is applied, what is the magnitude of torque on the
solenoid when its axis makes an angle of 30° with the direction of applied field?
Solution:
τ = mB sinθ
τ = 0.6 x 0.25 x sin30o
1
τ = 0.15 x
2
τ = 0.075 J (or) 7.5 x 10–2 J
ARUL INSTITUTE, CHENNAI
5.5 A bar magnet of magnetic moment 1.5 J T–1 lies aligned with the direction of a uniform
magnetic field of 0.22 T.
(a) What is the amount of work required by an external torque to turn the magnet so as
to align its magnetic moment: (i) normal to the field direction (ii) opposite to the
field direction?
(b) What is the torque on the magnet in cases (i) and (ii)?
Solution:
(a) (i) Work required by an external torque to turn the magnet from 0o to 90o
W = mB (cosθi – cosθf)
W = 1.5 x 0.22 x (cos0o – cos90o)
W = 0.33 x (1 – 0)
W = 0.33 J
(ii) Work required by an external torque to turn the magnet from 0o to 180o
W = mB (cosθi – cosθf)
W = 1.5 x 0.22 x (cos0o – cos180o)
W = 0.33 x [1 – (–1)] = 0.33 x 2
W = 0.66 J
(b) (i) Torque when θ = 90o ; τ1 = mB sin90o = 1.5 x 0.22 x 1 = 0.33 J
(ii) Torque when θ = 180o ; τ2 = mB sin180o = 0
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5.6 A closely wound solenoid of 2000 turns and area of cross-section 1.6 x 10–4 m2, carrying
a current of 4.0 A, is suspended through its centre allowing it to turn in a horizontal
plane.
(a) What is the magnetic moment associated with the solenoid?
(b) What is the force and torque on the solenoid if a uniform horizontal magnetic field
of 7.5 x 10–2 T is set up at an angle of 30o with the axis of the solenoid?
Solution:
(a) m = NIA
m = 2000 x 4 x 1.6 x 10–4
m = 2 x 6.4 x 10–1
m = 12.8 x 10–1
m = 1.28 Am2
(b) Force on the solenoid is zero in the uniform magnetic field.
Torque on the solenoid
τ = mB sinθ
τ = 1.28 x 7.5 x 10–2 x sin30o
1
τ = 9.6 x 10–2 x
2
τ = 4.8 x 10–2 Nm (or) 0.048 Nm
The torque tends to align the solenoid in the direction of magnetic field.
ARUL INSTITUTE, CHENNAI
5.7 A short bar magnet has a magnetic moment of 0.48 JT–1. Give the direction and
magnitude of the magnetic field produced by the magnet at a distance of 10 cm from the
centre of the magnet on (a) the axis (b) the equatorial lines (normal bisector) of the
magnet.
Solution: Bequatorial
10 cm
S N Baxial
10 cm
(a) Magnetic field on the axial point
µ o 2m
Baxial =
4π r 3
4π x 10 −7 x 2 x 0.48 0.96 x 10 −7
Baxial = =
4π x (10 x 10 − 2 ) 3 10 − 3 1 Gauss = 10–4 Tesla
Baxial = 0.96 x 10–4 T = 0.96 G (acts along S – N direction)
(b) Magnetic field on the equatorial point
µo m
Bequatorial =
4π r 3
4 π x 10 −7 x 0.48 0.48 x 10 −7
Bequatorial = =
4π x (10 x 10 − 2 )3 10 − 3
Bequatorial = 0.48 x 10–4 T = 0.48 G (acts along N – S direction)