Electricity and Magnetism Practice Questions
IB (International Baccalaureate) · IB Physics HL · 144 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
144
Total
48
Easy
69
Medium
27
Hard
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Sample Questions from Electricity and Magnetism
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Q1
Easy
What is the unit of electric charge in the International System of Units (SI)?
A.
Coulomb
B.
Volt
C.
Ampere
D.
Ohm
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The unit of electric charge in the SI system is the Coulomb (C). This unit is defined as the amount of charge transported by a constant current of one ampere in one second.
Q2
Easy
A circuit contains a 12V battery and a resistor of 4ฮฉ. What is the current flowing through the circuit?
A.
3 A
B.
6 A
C.
4 A
D.
12 A
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Using Ohm's law (V = IR), we can find the current (I) by rearranging it to I = V/R. Substituting the values, we have I = 12V / 4ฮฉ = 3 A.
Q3
Easy
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between current and voltage in a parallel circuit?
A.
Current is the same across all branches.
B.
Voltage is the same across all branches.
C.
Total current is the sum of individual currents.
D.
Total voltage is the sum of individual voltages.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch remains the same, regardless of the current flowing through each branch. This is a fundamental property of parallel circuits.
Q4
Medium
A magnetic field of strength 0.2 T acts perpendicularly to a wire carrying a current of 15 A. What is the force exerted on a 1.5 m length of the wire?
A.
4.5 N
B.
0.3 N
C.
3.0 N
D.
0.9 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is given by F = B * I * L * sin(ฮธ). Here, B = 0.2 T, I = 15 A, L = 1.5 m, and ฮธ = 90 degrees (sin(90) = 1). Thus, F = 0.2 * 15 * 1.5 = 4.5 N.
Q5
Medium
In a parallel circuit with two resistors, R1 = 6 ohms and R2 = 3 ohms, what is the total resistance?
A.
2 ohms
B.
4 ohms
C.
1.5 ohms
D.
9 ohms
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The total resistance (R_total) in a parallel circuit is given by 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2. Thus, 1/R_total = 1/6 + 1/3 = 1/6 + 2/6 = 3/6, so R_total = 2 ohms.
Q6
Medium
A current of 10 A flows through a cylindrical conductor with a cross-sectional area of 2 ร 10^-4 mยฒ. What is the current density in the conductor?
A.
5 ร 10^4 A/mยฒ
B.
4 ร 10^4 A/mยฒ
C.
2 ร 10^5 A/mยฒ
D.
3 ร 10^5 A/mยฒ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Current density (J) is defined as the current (I) divided by the cross-sectional area (A). J = I/A = 10 A / (2 ร 10^-4 mยฒ) = 5 ร 10^4 A/mยฒ.
Q7
Medium
A capacitor of capacitance 3 ยตF is charged to a potential difference of 12 V. What is the energy stored in the capacitor?
A.
0.216 mJ
B.
0.144 mJ
C.
0.072 mJ
D.
0.096 mJ
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The energy (U) stored in a capacitor is given by U = 0.5 * C * Vยฒ. Here, C = 3 ยตF = 3 ร 10^(-6) F and V = 12 V. Thus, U = 0.5 * 3 ร 10^(-6) * (12)ยฒ = 0.216 mJ.
Q8
Hard
A capacitor with a capacitance of 5 ฮผF is charged to a potential difference of 200 V. What is the energy stored in the capacitor?
A.
0.5 J
B.
1 J
C.
2 J
D.
2.5 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The energy (U) stored in a capacitor is given by the formula U = 0.5 * C * V^2. Substituting the values, U = 0.5 * 5 x 10^-6 F * (200 V)^2 = 1 J. Thus, option B is correct.
Q9
Hard
A charged particle moves through a uniform magnetic field at an angle of 30ยฐ to the field lines. If the magnetic field strength is 0.5 T and the charge of the particle is 2 C, what is the magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the particle if its velocity is 10 m/s?
A.
5 N
B.
10 N
C.
15 N
D.
2.5 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The magnetic force F on a charged particle is given by F = qvBsin(ฮธ). Here, q = 2 C, v = 10 m/s, B = 0.5 T, and ฮธ = 30ยฐ. Thus, F = 2 * 10 * 0.5 * sin(30ยฐ) = 2 * 10 * 0.5 * 0.5 = 5 N.
Q10
Hard
A capacitor of capacitance 5 ฮผF is charged to a potential difference of 200 V. Calculate the energy stored in the capacitor. Which of the following represents the correct energy in joules?
A.
0.1 J
B.
1 J
C.
0.5 J
D.
2 J
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The energy (E) stored in a capacitor is given by the formula E = 0.5 * C * V^2. Substituting the values: E = 0.5 * 5 x 10^-6 F * (200 V)^2 = 0.1 J.
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Electricity and Magnetism โ IB (International Baccalaureate) IB Physics HL Practice Questions Online
This page contains 144 practice MCQs for the chapter Electricity and Magnetism in IB (International Baccalaureate) IB Physics HL. The questions are organized by difficulty โ 48 easy, 69 medium, 27 hard โ so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.