Magnetic Interactions & Applications Quiz

When a magnet is cut into two pieces, what is likely to happen to the magnetic properties of each piece?

1. Each piece will lose its magnetic properties completely.
2. Only one piece will have a north pole, and the other will have a south pole.
3. Both pieces will have their own north and south poles.
4. Both pieces will only have one pole, either north or south.

Answer: (c) Both pieces will have their own north and south poles.

A student places a magnet near a compass, and the compass needle aligns itself to point toward the north pole of the magnet. If the student rotates the compass 180 degrees, what will happen to the compass needle?

1. It will point away from the magnet.
2. It will flip and point to the magnet’s south pole.
3. It will stay pointing to the magnet's north pole.
4. It will not move at al

Answer: (c) It will stay pointing to the magnet's north pole.

A circular disk magnet is divided into equal halves by cutting it straight across the middle. Which statement best describes the magnetic properties of each half?

1. Each half will have only one pole—either north or south
2. Each half will have its own north and south poles
3. One half will become non-magnetic, while the other half retains magnetic properties
4. Each half will lose its magnetic properties entirely.

Answer: (b) Each half will have its own north and south poles

A student has two identical magnets, but one is a permanent magnet and the other is a piece of magnetised steel. She wants to find out which one is the permanent magnet. What could she do to identify the permanent magnet?

1. Place both magnets near a compass and observe the compass needle’s deflection
2. Place both magnets in water and observe which one sinks
3. Check which magnet attracts more paper clips
4. Try to demagnetize both magnets by heating them and see which one loses its magnetism

Answer: (d) Try to demagnetize both magnets by heating them and see which one loses its magnetism

A student hangs a bar magnet from a string and observes that it always comes to rest in the north-south direction. The student then brings another strong magnet near it, and the bar magnet no longer aligns north-south. Why did this happen?

1. The Earth's magnetic field is no longer present.
2. The stronger magnet creates a new field that affects the bar magnet.
3. The bar magnet lost its magnetic properties temporarily.
4. The bar magnet now aligns only with the Earth's geographic poles.

Answer: (b) The stronger magnet creates a new field that affects the bar magnet.

Two identical-looking magnets are placed near each other. Without touching or moving them, a student wants to figure out if their poles are facing each other. She places a small compass between them and notices the needle aligns perpendicular to the line connecting the two magnets. What can she conclude?

1. The poles facing each other are opposite.
2. The magnets are of unequal strength.
3. The magnets have weak magnetic fields.
4. The poles facing each other are like poles.

Answer: (d) The poles facing each other are like poles.

A magnet is used in an experiment to test whether Metal X is a magnet. The magnet was brought near Metal X. Which result shows that Metal X is definitely a magnet?

Answer: (a)

A student arranges three bar magnets in a row with poles facing as follows: north-south, south-north, north-south. When a compass is placed near the middle magnet, it aligns towards the south end of the first magnet. Which reasoning best explains this behavior?

1. The magnetic field of the middle magnet is weaker than the other two.
2. The combined magnetic field makes the first magnet act as the stronger pole.
3. The arrangement creates a stronger field around the first magnet, affecting the compass.
4. The magnetic properties cancel in the middle magnet due to its position.

Answer: (c) The arrangement creates a stronger field around the first magnet, affecting the compass.

Jerry was given three objects, A, B, C, wrapped in paper. The objects were of similar size. He held a magnet about two centimetres away from each one of them as shown in the diagram below. He recorded his observations in the table. Which of the objects could be made of copper?

1. Only A
2. Only B
3. Only C
4. B and C only

Answer: (a) Only A

The diagram below shows three ring mangnets. Which of the following shows the possible poles of the ring magnets?

Answer: (c)