4. Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects – Worksheet Solutions

Q1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Instruction: Select the correct option for each question.

  1. What did Oersted discover in 1820?
    a) Heating effect of current
    b) Electric charge of Earth
    c) Magnetic effect of electric current
    d) Structure of dry cell

    Answer: c) Magnetic effect of electric current
    Oersted observed that a current-carrying wire deflects a compass needle, proving current creates a magnetic field.
  2. Which instrument can detect the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire?
    a) Vernier caliper
    b) Magnetic compass
    c) Thermometer
    d) Barometer

    Answer: b) Magnetic compass
    The compass needle deflects when near a current-carrying conductor.
  3. An electromagnet is:
    a) A permanent magnet made of steel
    b) A coil with an iron core that becomes a magnet when current flows
    c) A bar magnet with fixed poles
    d) A coil without any core

    Answer: b) A coil with an iron core that becomes a magnet when current flows
    Electromagnets work only when current is ON.
  4. Which change will increase the strength of an electromagnet?
    a) Using fewer turns of wire
    b) Reducing current
    c) Inserting a soft iron core
    d) Removing the battery

    Answer: c) Inserting a soft iron core
    Strength increases with iron core, more turns, and higher current.
  5. Lifting electromagnets are used mainly to:
    a) Measure current
    b) Lift and move heavy steel in scrap yards
    c) Store electrical energy
    d) Heat metals

    Answer: b) Lift and move heavy steel in scrap yards
    They can be switched ON to lift and OFF to release.
  6. When current passes through a nichrome wire, it becomes hot due to:
    a) Absence of resistance
    b) Magnetic shielding
    c) Cooling effect of current
    d) Heating effect of electric current
    Answer:
     d) Heating effect of electric current
    Electrical energy converts to heat because nichrome has high resistance.
  7. Which factor increases heat in a wire for the same time?
    a) Thicker wire and less current
    b) Shorter wire and less current
    c) Longer, thinner wire with more current
    d) No resistance in wire
    Answer: 
    c) Longer, thinner wire with more current
    Heat increases with resistance, current, length, and time.
  8. In a simple voltaic (galvanic) cell, electricity is produced by:
    a) Chemical reactions between metals and electrolyte
    b) Friction 
    c) Magnetic induction
    d) Solar energy
    Answe
    r: a) Chemical reactions between metals and electrolyte
    The reaction releases energy as electrical current.
  9. In a dry cell, the negative terminal is the:
    a) Zinc container
    b) Carbon rod 
    c) Electrolyte paste
    d) Air gap
    Answer:
     a) Zinc container
    The zinc can acts as the negative electrode; carbon rod is positive.
  10. Lithium-ion batteries are:
    a) Single-use only
    b) Not suitable for recharging
    c) Only for torches and clocks
    d)  Rechargeable and used in phones/laptops
    Answer: d) Rechargeable and used in phones/laptops
     Li-ion batteries are common rechargeable batteries in modern devices.

Q2. Fill in the Blanks

Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct word based on the chapter.

  1. A current-carrying conductor produces a __________ field around it.
    Answer: 
    magnetic
    Current generates a magnetic field.
  2. The deflection of a __________ needle shows the presence of current nearby.
    Answer: 
    compass
    The compass detects magnetic fields.
  3. An iron nail wrapped with a current-carrying coil becomes an __________.
    Answer:
     electromagnet
    It behaves like a magnet only when current flows.
  4. Reversing the direction of current reverses the __________ of an electromagnet.
    Answer: 
    polarity (poles)
    North and South poles swap when current direction changes.
  5. The heating of a wire due to current is called the __________ effect of electric current.
    Answer: 
    heating
    Electrical energy changes to heat energy.
  6. __________ wire is used as a heating element because it has high resistance.
    Answer:
     Nichrome
    High resistance produces more heat.
  7. A device that produces electricity by a chemical reaction is called an electric __________.
    Answer: 
    cell
    Cells convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
  8. In a dry cell, the electrolyte is a moist __________.
    Answer: 
    paste
    Hence called a “dry” cell.
  9. In the lemon battery, the lemon juice acts as an __________.
    Answer: 
    electrolyte
    The conducting liquid enables the reaction.
  10. Multiple cells connected together form a __________.
    Answer: 
    battery
    A battery supplies higher voltage/current than a single cell.

Q3. Very Short Answer Questions (1 line)

Instruction: Answer the following questions in one line.

  1. What simple observation shows the magnetic effect of current?
    Answer: A compass needle deflects near a current-carrying wire.
  2. Name any one factor that increases the strength of an electromagnet.
    Answer: Increasing the number of turns in the coil.
  3. What happens to an electromagnet when the current is switched off?
    Answer: It loses its magnetism.
  4. What is resistance?
    Answer: The opposition offered by a material to the flow of electric current.
  5. Which terminal is at the center of a dry cell?
    Answer: The carbon rod (positive terminal).

Q4. Short Answer Questions

Instruction: Answer the following questions in 2–3 lines.

  1. State Oersted’s finding and its importance.
    Answer: Oersted found that a current-carrying wire deflects a compass needle, proving that electric current creates a magnetic field. This linked electricity and magnetism and led to electromagnetism-based technologies.
  2. How can you make a simple electromagnet at home?
    Answer: Wrap insulated wire around a soft iron nail, connect the wire ends to a cell, and switch ON. The nail attracts iron objects while current flows; it stops when switched OFF.
  3. Mention two ways to increase the heat produced in a wire.
    Answer: Use a longer/thinner high-resistance wire (like nichrome) and increase the current (more cells). Heat also increases with time of current flow.
  4. What is the basic structure of a dry cell?
    Answer: A zinc container (negative) filled with electrolyte paste and a central carbon rod (positive). It is a commonly used single-use cell.
  5. How can you light an LED with lemons?
    Answer: Insert a copper strip and an iron nail into each lemon (electrodes). Connect several lemon cells in series to increase voltage; ensure correct LED polarity.

Q5. Match the Following 

Instruction: Match Column A with the correct option in Column B.

Ans: 

  1. Oersted — c) Current creates magnetic field
    He discovered the magnetic effect of electric current.
  2. Electromagnet — e) Coil with iron core works only when current flows
    It becomes magnetic only when powered.
  3. Nichrome — a) Heating element material
    Nichrome’s high resistance makes it ideal for heaters.
  4. Lifting crane magnet — d) Switchable industrial magnet
    Used to lift/drop heavy steel by switching current ON/OFF.
  5. Zinc can (dry cell) — b) Negative terminal
    In a dry cell, the zinc container acts as the negative electrode.