Chapter 4: Electricity – Magnetic and Heating Effects
Part A: Exercise Question Answers
Q1. Fill in the blanks:
(i) The solution used in a Voltaic cell is called electrolyte.
(ii) A current carrying coil behaves like a magnet.
Q2. Choose the correct option:
(i) Dry cells are less portable compared to Voltaic cells. – False
(ii) A coil becomes an electromagnet only when electric current flows through it. – True
(iii) An electromagnet, using a single cell, attracts more iron paper clips than the same
electromagnet with a battery of 2 cells. – False
Q3. An electric current flows through a nichrome wire for a short time:
(i) The wire becomes warm.
(ii) A magnetic compass placed below the wire is deflected.
✔ Correct option: (c) Both (i) and (ii) are correct
Q4. Match the following:
(i) Voltaic cell → (d) Chemical reactions
(ii) Electric iron → (c) Works on heating effect of electric current
(iii) Nichrome wire → (a) Best suited for electric heater
(iv) Electromagnet → (b) Works on magnetic effect of electric current
Q5. Nichrome wire is commonly used in electrical heating devices because it –
✔ (ii) Generates more heat for a given current.
Q6. Reasoning Question:
Electric heating devices (like heaters/stoves) are more convenient than burning
firewood/charcoal because –
They do not produce smoke or harmful gases.
They are easy to use and control.
They save time and energy.
They are safer and cleaner for the environment.
Q7. Fig. 4.4a based Question:
(i) Arrow should show current flowing from positive to negative terminal.
(ii) The compass needle moves due to magnetic field produced by the current.
(iii) If battery terminals are reversed, compass needle will deflect in opposite direction.
Q8. Why lifting electromagnet stopped working in Sumana’s model?
Continuous current weakened the battery.
Weak current could no longer magnetise the iron nail.
Hence clips were not attracted, but wire was still warm due to heating effect.
Q9. In Fig. 4.11, LED will glow in case (a) – because lemon juice acts as electrolyte, unlike
pure water.
Q10. Neha’s coil without iron nail:
Yes, coil will still deflect compass (because current produces magnetic field).
Deflection will be less without iron core.
Q11. Four coils experiment (Fig. 4.12):
✔ Correct option: (iv) In all four circuits
Part B: Additional Questions from Chapter Content
(i) 5 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
1. Who discovered the magnetic effect of electric current?
(a) Volta
(b) Oersted
(c) Galvani
(d) Faraday
Ans: (b) Oersted
2. Which material is used in heating elements of electric appliances?
(a) Copper
(b) Aluminium
(c) Nichrome
(d) Iron
Ans: (c) Nichrome
3. Which of the following is NOT a rechargeable battery?
(a) Dry cell
(b) Lithium-ion cell
(c) Inverter battery
(d) Vehicle battery
Ans: (a) Dry cell
4. The strength of an electromagnet can be increased by –
(a) Using copper nail
(b) Increasing coil turns
(c) Reducing current
(d) Using aluminium wire
Ans: (b) Increasing coil turns
5. Which part of dry cell acts as negative terminal?
(a) Carbon rod
(b) Metal cap
(c) Zinc container
(d) Electrolyte paste
Ans: (c) Zinc container
(ii) 5 True/False
1. Oersted discovered the heating effect of current. – False
2. A freely suspended magnet always points in North–South direction. – True
3. Heating effect is due to resistance in the conductor. – True
4. Rechargeable batteries can be used only once. – False
5. Electromagnets lose their magnetism when current is stopped. – True
(iii) 5 Fill in the blanks
1. The scientist who discovered the link between electricity and magnetism was
Oersted.
2. A current carrying wire produces a magnetic field around it.
3. The amount of heat produced depends on the material, thickness, length of wire and
current.
4. The positive terminal of a dry cell is the carbon rod.
5. The heating element of an electric heater is usually made of nichrome.
(iv) Very Short Answer (1–2 lines)
1. Define magnetic effect of electric current.
Ans: The phenomenon by which current produces a magnetic field around it is called
magnetic effect of electric current.
2. Name two household appliances using heating effect of current.
Ans: Electric iron, electric kettle.
3. What is an electromagnet?
Ans: A coil of wire carrying current which behaves like a magnet.
(v) Short Answer (3–4 sentences)
1. How does a nichrome wire become hot when current flows through it?
Ans: A nichrome wire offers resistance to current flow. This resistance converts
electrical energy into heat energy, making the wire hot.
2. Why is a dry cell preferred over a Voltaic cell for daily use?
Ans: Because it is portable, compact, and does not spill liquid electrolyte.
(vi) Long Answer (in detail)
1. Explain the construction and working of a Voltaic cell with diagram.
Ans: A Voltaic cell consists of two different metal plates (electrodes) dipped in an
electrolyte solution. Due to chemical reaction between electrolyte and electrodes,
electric current is generated. Current flows from positive to negative terminal through
external circuit. Over time, chemicals get exhausted and cell becomes dead.
2. Describe three ways to increase the strength of an electromagnet.
Ans:
Increase the number of turns in the coil.
Increase the current flowing through coil.
Insert a soft iron core inside the coil.
Section E: Short Answer Questions (3–4 sentences)
1. Explain why nichrome is used as a heating element.
Ans: Nichrome has high resistance, so it converts more electrical energy into heat. It
does not oxidise easily and has a high melting point, making it suitable for heaters.
2. Differentiate between a dry cell and a Voltaic cell.
Ans:
Voltaic cell uses liquid electrolyte, bulky and not portable.
Dry cell uses paste electrolyte, compact, portable, and widely used.
3. How can the polarity of an electromagnet be changed?
Ans: By reversing the direction of electric current in the coil.
4. Why are rechargeable batteries better than single-use cells?
Ans: They can be recharged many times, reduce waste, save cost, and are
environmentally friendly.
📝 Section F: Long Answer Questions
1. Explain the working of a lifting electromagnet. Give its uses.
Ans: A lifting electromagnet is a strong electromagnet fitted to cranes. When current
passes through coil, the iron core becomes magnetised and lifts heavy iron/steel
objects. When current is switched off, magnetism is lost and objects are released.
Uses: in scrap yards, factories, to move heavy metal loads.
2. Describe the structure of a dry cell with a labelled diagram.
Ans:
Zinc container = negative terminal.
Carbon rod with metal cap = positive terminal.
Electrolyte = paste of ammonium chloride and zinc chloride.
It produces current due to chemical reaction between zinc and electrolyte.
(Diagram can be drawn with labels: zinc container, electrolyte paste, carbon rod,
metal cap).
3. Explain the heating effect of electric current with an activity.
Ans:
Take nichrome wire between two nails connected to cell.
When current passes, wire gets heated due to resistance.
Heat produced depends on current, material, length, thickness, and time.
Applications: heater, iron, kettle, geyser, toaster.
4. How can you make an electromagnet stronger? Explain with experiment.
Ans: Strength depends on:
Number of turns of coil (more turns = stronger).
Current in coil (more current = stronger).
Inserting soft iron core.
Experiment: Wrap insulated wire around an iron nail, connect to battery, and test with
paper clips. Increasing turns or cells increases attraction.
✅ Now you have: