Magnetism Practice Questions
WAEC (West Africa) · WAEC Physics · 147 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
147
Total
47
Easy
78
Medium
22
Hard
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Sample Questions from Magnetism
Here are 10 sample questions. Start a quiz to get randomized questions with scoring.
Q1
Easy
What is the primary source of magnetism in materials?
A.
Movement of electrons
B.
Temperature changes
C.
Presence of impurities
D.
Shape of the material
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Correct Answer: A
The primary source of magnetism in materials comes from the movement of electrons, particularly the spin and orbital motion of electrons within atoms, which creates a magnetic field.
Q2
Easy
Which of the following is a property of magnetic field lines?
A.
They can cross each other.
B.
They are always straight.
C.
They form closed loops.
D.
They originate from north poles only.
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Correct Answer: C
Magnetic field lines form closed loops, meaning they exit from the north pole and enter the south pole, illustrating the continuous nature of magnetic fields.
Q3
Easy
If the magnetic field strength in a coil is doubled, what happens to the magnetic force on a charge moving through the field?
A.
It remains unchanged.
B.
It doubles.
C.
It halves.
D.
It becomes zero.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The magnetic force on a charge in a magnetic field is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field. Therefore, if the magnetic field strength is doubled, the magnetic force also doubles.
Q4
Medium
What is the primary factor affecting the strength of a magnetic field produced by a long straight conductor?
A.
The distance from the conductor.
B.
The type of current flowing.
C.
The material of the conductor.
D.
The amount of voltage supplied.
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Correct Answer: A
The strength of the magnetic field around a straight conductor decreases with increasing distance from the conductor. Thus, distance is the primary factor.
Q5
Medium
A solenoid carries a current of 5 A and has 200 turns. If the length of the solenoid is 0.5 m, what is the magnetic field strength inside it (permeability of free space = 4ฯ x 10^-7 Tm/A)?
A.
1.26 x 10^-3 T
B.
6.28 x 10^-4 T
C.
2.51 x 10^-3 T
D.
3.14 x 10^-5 T
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Correct Answer: A
The magnetic field strength (B) inside a solenoid is given by the formula B = ฮผnI, where ฮผ is permeability, n is the number of turns per unit length, and I is the current. Here, n = 200 turns/0.5 m = 400 turns/m, hence B = (4ฯ x 10^-7) * (400) * (5) = 1.26 x 10^-3 T.
Q6
Medium
Which of the following statements about magnetic field lines is NOT true?
A.
They never cross each other.
B.
They form closed loops.
C.
They indicate the direction of magnetic force.
D.
They can be seen directly with the naked eye.
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Correct Answer: D
Magnetic field lines cannot be seen directly with the naked eye; they are an abstract representation. The other statements about magnetic field lines being non-crossing and forming closed loops are true.
Q7
Medium
A magnet is brought near a metal paperclip. What type of magnetism is demonstrated?
A.
Permanent magnetism
B.
Temporary magnetism
C.
Electromagnetism
D.
Diamagnetism
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Correct Answer: B
When a magnet is brought near a ferromagnetic material like a paperclip, it temporarily magnetizes it. Upon removal of the magnet, the paperclip loses its magnetism, demonstrating temporary magnetism.
Q8
Hard
A wire carrying a current of 5 A is placed in a uniform magnetic field of strength 0.3 T. If the length of the wire in the magnetic field is 0.5 m and the angle between the wire and the magnetic field is 30 degrees, what is the force experienced by the wire?
A.
0.75 N
B.
0.30 N
C.
0.50 N
D.
1.50 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The force on the wire can be calculated using the formula F = BIL sin(ฮธ). Here, B = 0.3 T, I = 5 A, L = 0.5 m, and ฮธ = 30 degrees. Plugging in the values: F = 0.3 * 5 * 0.5 * sin(30) = 0.75 N. Therefore, the correct answer is 0.75 N.
Q9
Hard
Two long parallel wires are separated by a distance of 0.1 m and carry currents of 3 A and 5 A in the same direction. What is the magnetic field strength at a point exactly midway between the wires?
A.
0.00015 T
B.
0.00030 T
C.
0.00075 T
D.
0.00150 T
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
The magnetic field due to a long straight wire is given by B = (ฮผโI)/(2ฯr). For two wires, we find the magnetic field at the midpoint. The distance from each wire to the midpoint is 0.05 m. Thus, the fields add up: B1 = (4ฯ x 10^-7 * 3) / (2ฯ * 0.05) and B2 = (4ฯ x 10^-7 * 5) / (2ฯ * 0.05). B = B1 + B2 = 0.00015 T + 0.00030 T = 0.00075 T.
Q10
Hard
A magnetic field is applied perpendicular to a straight conductor carrying a current of 5 A. If the length of the conductor in the field is 0.5 m and the field strength is 0.2 T, what is the force experienced by the conductor?
A.
0.5 N
B.
0.2 N
C.
1.0 N
D.
0.3 N
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
The force (F) experienced by a conductor in a magnetic field is given by F = BIL, where B is the magnetic field strength, I is the current, and L is the length of the conductor. Here, F = 0.2 T * 5 A * 0.5 m = 0.5 N. However, since the conductor experiences a force calculated directly, it results in F = 1.0 N due to the direction of current and magnetic field.
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Magnetism โ WAEC (West Africa) WAEC Physics Practice Questions Online
This page contains 147 practice MCQs for the chapter Magnetism in WAEC (West Africa) WAEC Physics. The questions are organized by difficulty โ 47 easy, 78 medium, 22 hard โ so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
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