Define magnetic field lines. How do they determine magnetic field direction at a point in magnetic field?

Collegedunia Team logo

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator

Magnetic field lines are used to represent the direction and strength of magnetic fields. They are used to determine the direction of magnetic fields around a magnet or a current-carrying conductor. The magnetic field lines are closed curves that form continuous loops around the magnetic material or a current-carrying conductor.

The properties of magnetic field lines are as follows:

  • Magnetic field lines always form continuous loops around the magnet or current-carrying conductor, i.e. they are always closed curves.
  • The direction of the magnetic field lines is such that the tangent to the line at any point gives the direction of the magnetic field at that point.
  • Magnetic field lines never intersect with each other.
  • The density of magnetic field lines is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field at any point. Thus, the denser the magnetic field lines, the stronger the magnetic field.

For example, consider a bar magnet. When iron filings are scattered around a bar magnet, they align themselves along the magnetic field lines. The direction of the magnetic field lines can be determined by connecting the points where the iron filings lie. The lines will form closed loops, with the field lines emerging from the north pole and entering the south pole. The direction of the magnetic field at any point can be found by drawing a tangent to the magnetic field line at that point.

Similarly, the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor can be visualized using magnetic field lines. When a current-carrying conductor is passed through a sheet of paper and iron filings are sprinkled on top, the iron filings align themselves along the magnetic field lines. The field lines form concentric circles around the conductor, with the direction of the magnetic field tangent to the circles at any point.

In summary, magnetic field lines are a useful tool to visualize the direction and strength of magnetic fields. They help to understand the behavior of magnets and current-carrying conductors and are useful in practical applications of electromagnetism.

Also check:

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    If Bohr’s quantization postulate (angular momentum \( = \frac{nh}{2\pi} \)) is a basic law of nature, it should be equally valid for the case of planetary motion also. Why, then, do we never speak of quantization of orbits of planets around the Sun? Explain.


      • 2.
        Two small identical metallic balls having charges \( q \) and \( -2q \) are kept far at a separation \( r \). They are brought in contact and then separated at distance \( \frac{r}{2} \). Compared to the initial force \( F \), they will now:

          • attract with a force \( \frac{F}{2} \)
          • repel with a force \( \frac{F}{2} \)
          • repel with a force \( F \)
          • attract with a force \( F \)

        • 3.
          Differentiate between inductive reactance, capacitive reactance and impedance of an ac circuit.
          An ideal inductor and an ideal capacitor are connected in series across an ac voltage. Plot a graph showing variation of net reactance of the circuit with frequency of the applied ac voltage.


            • 4.
              A ray of light MN is incident normally on the face corresponding with side AB of a prism with an isosceles right-angled triangular base ABC. Trace the path of the ray as it passes through the prism when the refractive index of the prism material is \( \sqrt{2} \), and \( \sqrt{3} \).


                • 5.
                  The figure represents the variation of the electric potential \( V \) at a point in a region of space as a function of its position along the x-axis. A charged particle will experience the maximum force at:

                    • P
                    • Q
                    • R
                    • S

                  • 6.
                    A circular coil of 100 turns and radius \( \left(\frac{10}{\sqrt{\pi}}\right) \, \text{cm}\) carrying current of \( 5.0 \, \text{A} \) is suspended vertically in a uniform horizontal magnetic field of \( 2.0 \, \text{T} \). The field makes an angle \( 30^\circ \) with the normal to the coil. Calculate:
                    the magnetic dipole moment of the coil, and
                    the magnitude of the counter torque that must be applied to prevent the coil from turning.

                      CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

                      Comments


                      No Comments To Show