Chapter-5

Magnetism and Matter

Q.1. Write three points of difference between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and

ferromagnetic materials.

Ans.
Properties Diamagnetic Paramagnetic Ferromagnetic
material material material

Effect of Magnet Weakly repelled Weakly attracted by Strongly attracted

by a magnet. a by a magnet
magnet.

Permeability Little less than Little greater than Very high

unity unity

Effect of No effect. With the rise of Above curie

Temperature temperature, it point, it becomes
becomes a a paramagnetic
diamagnetic.

Q.2. What is the difference between magnetic lines of force and electric lines of
force?
Ans. The electric lines of force originate from positive charge and end at negative
charge and are thus discontinuous curves. But as the isolated magnetic poles do not
exist, the magnetic field lines are closed loops.

Q.3. Explain Curie's law for a paramagnetic substance.

Ans. The Curie law states that the magnetization of paramagnetic substances is directly
proportional to the external magnetic field applied. But as the substance is heated, its
magnetization is inversely proportional to the temperature of the substance.

Thus, the magnetization of the paramagnetic substance M = CB/T

where C is the Curie constant, B is the external magnetic field, and T is the temperature
of the substance.

Q.4. Why does a magnetic dipole possess potential energy when placed at some
inclination with the direction of the field?

Ans. In equilibrium, a magnetic dipole always aligns itself along the direction of the
magnetic field. When the magnetic dipole is displaced from the equilibrium position, a
restoring torque acts on the dipole to bring it back. Therefore, to place the dipole at
some inclination with the field, work has to be done against the restoring torque. This
work is stored in the dipole as its potential energy.

Q.5. Explain Bohr magneton and write its value.

Ans. Bohr magneton is defined as the magnetic dipole moment associated with an
atom due to orbital motion of an electron in the first orbit of a hydrogen atom.
Bohr magneton, μB = 9.27 x 10-24 A/m2

Q.6. Two substances A and B have their relative permeabilities slightly greater and

slightly less than 1 respectively. What do you conclude about A and B as far as their

magnetic materials are concerned?

Ans. The material which has relative permeabilities slightly greater than one are

paramagnetic whereas the material which has relative permeabilities slightly lesser than

one are diamagnetic.

A → Paramagnetic

B → Diamagnetic

Q.7. How can you decide whether the magnetic field at a point is due to some current

carrying conductor or due to Earth?

Ans. If the compass needle at a given point stays in north-south direction then the

magnetic field is due to Earth, otherwise it is due to the current carrying conductor.