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Magnetism and Matter Class 12 Physics MCQs 2026-27 | CBSE

CBSE Class 12 Physics • Chapter 5

Magnetism and Matter — MCQs with Answers

50 original multiple-choice questions for CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026–27, designed for concept revision, board-style objective practice and quick self-testing.

50 MCQsAnswers + Explanations2026–27 Scope-Aware
Scope first: The official CBSE 2026–27 curriculum places Chapters 4 and 5 in Unit III, “Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism,” carrying 17 marks for the unit. Chapter 5 explicitly includes the bar magnet, equivalent-solenoid idea, qualitative dipole field along/perpendicular to the axis, torque on a magnetic dipole in a uniform field, magnetic field lines, magnetic materials, magnetisation and temperature effects. See the official curriculum.

How to Use These Magnetism and Matter MCQs

Best method: Attempt every question before opening the explanation. Mark questions you guessed. After checking, revise the underlying concept from the Magnetism and Matter Class 12 Physics Notes, then retry the missed questions.
  • Round 1: Solve Q1–20 without notes.
  • Round 2: Solve Q21–40 and focus on material properties, magnetisation and temperature effects.
  • Round 3: Attempt Q41–50 as the clearly labelled official-SQP-linked extension.
  • Exam habit: Read every option completely. Several questions are designed around common reversals such as N→S vs S→N, positive vs negative susceptibility, and zero vs maximum torque.

Core Chapter 5 MCQs — 1 to 40

These questions stay focused on the concepts explicitly named in the current Chapter 5 syllabus, with only the minimum Chapter 4 bridge needed for magnetic dipole moment and torque relationships.

Q1.A bar magnet behaves most closely like aFoundation
APoint electric charge
BMagnetic dipole
CSingle magnetic pole
DCapacitor
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
A bar magnet has two opposite magnetic poles and is therefore represented as a magnetic dipole.
Q2.The magnetic field lines outside a bar magnet are directedFoundation
AFrom S to N
BFrom N to S
CFrom east to west
DRandomly
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Outside a bar magnet, conventional magnetic field lines emerge from the north pole and enter the south pole.
Q3.The magnetic field lines inside a bar magnet are directedFoundation
AFrom N to S
BFrom S to N
COnly upward
DThey do not exist
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Magnetic field lines form closed loops, so inside the magnet they run from S to N.
Q4.Which statement about magnetic field lines is correct?Foundation
AThey can intersect at a point
BThey always form open curves
CTheir tangent gives the field direction
DThey exist only outside a magnet
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The tangent to a field line at a point indicates the direction of the magnetic field at that point.
Q5.A magnetic dipole moment is associated with theFoundation
AStrength and orientation of a magnetic dipole
BMass of the magnet
CTemperature only
DElectric charge only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Magnetic dipole moment describes the strength and orientation of a magnetic dipole.
Q6.The SI unit of magnetic dipole moment isFoundation
AT
BWb
CA m²
DA/m
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Magnetic dipole moment has SI unit ampere metre squared (A m²).
Q7.For a current-carrying coil, the magnetic dipole moment magnitude isFoundation
ANI/A
BNIA
CA/(NI)
DN/I A
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
For a coil of N turns carrying current I and area A, m = NIA.
Q8.The magnetic dipole moment of a current loop is directed according to theFoundation
ALeft-hand rule only
BRight-hand thumb rule
CFleming's left-hand rule only
DLaw of reflection
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Curl the fingers in the current direction; the thumb gives the magnetic dipole moment direction.
Q9.A bar magnet can be represented qualitatively as an equivalentFoundation
ACapacitor
BSolenoid
CResistor
DTransformer
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
A current-carrying solenoid produces a magnetic field pattern similar to that of a bar magnet.
Q10.The equivalence of a bar magnet and a solenoid is primarily aFoundation
AQualitative physical model
BChemical reaction
CNumerical identity in every detail
DGravitational analogy
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
At this level, the bar-magnet/solenoid equivalence is used qualitatively to compare their magnetic-field patterns.
Q11.At a point on the axial line of a bar magnet, the point liesFoundation
APerpendicular to the dipole axis
BAlong the dipole axis
CInside the equatorial plane only
DAt 45° to every field line
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The axial position is along the line joining the two poles, i.e. along the dipole axis.
Q12.A point on the equatorial line of a magnetic dipole liesFoundation
AAlong the dipole axis
BPerpendicular to the dipole axis through the centre
CAt either pole
DInside the magnet only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The equatorial line is the perpendicular bisector of the dipole axis.
Q13.For Chapter 5's prescribed field-of-a-dipole treatment, the axial and equatorial field results are emphasizedApplication
AQualitatively
BOnly through calculus
COnly through numerical integration
DNot at all
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The current CBSE 2026–27 syllabus specifies the magnetic field of a bar magnet along and perpendicular to its axis qualitatively.
Q14.The torque on a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field is maximum when the angle between m and B isApplication
A0°
B30°
C60°
D90°
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
τ = mB sinθ, so torque is maximum when sinθ = 1, i.e. θ = 90°.
Q15.The torque on a magnetic dipole is zero when the dipole isApplication
APerpendicular to the field only
BParallel or antiparallel to the field
CAt 45° only
DAt 60° only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
For θ = 0° or 180°, sinθ = 0, so the torque is zero.
Q16.If the magnetic dipole moment is doubled while B and θ remain unchanged, the torqueApplication
ABecomes half
BBecomes zero
CDoubles
DBecomes four times
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
From τ = mB sinθ, torque is directly proportional to m.
Q17.If θ = 30° for a magnetic dipole in a uniform field, the torque magnitude isApplication
AmB
B0
CmB/2
D√3mB/2
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
τ = mB sin30° = mB/2.
Q18.A magnetic dipole placed in a uniform magnetic field experiencesApplication
AA torque in general
BOnly gravitational force
CNo possible torque at any angle
DOnly electric force
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Except for parallel or antiparallel orientations, the field produces a torque tending to rotate the dipole.
Q19.Which statement about a uniform magnetic field is most appropriate?Application
AField magnitude and direction are the same at all points in the region
BField exists only at a magnet's poles
CField lines must intersect
DField has no direction
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Uniform means the magnetic field vector is constant in magnitude and direction throughout the considered region.
Q20.A magnetic field line is drawn closer to neighbouring field lines where the field isApplication
ARelatively stronger
BNecessarily zero
CAlways uniform
DIndependent of field strength
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Greater field-line density is used to represent a relatively stronger magnetic field.
Q21.Which statement about magnetic field lines is false?Application
AThey form closed loops
BThey never intersect
CTheir density can indicate relative strength
DThey begin and end at isolated magnetic monopoles
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Isolated magnetic monopoles have not been observed; magnetic field lines form closed loops.
Q22.Diamagnetic substances are generallyApplication
AStrongly attracted to a magnet
BWeakly repelled by a magnet
CPermanently magnetised without a field
DAlways ferromagnetic
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Diamagnetic substances develop a weak induced magnetic moment opposite to the applied field and are weakly repelled.
Q23.The magnetic susceptibility of a diamagnetic substance is generallyApplication
ASmall and negative
BSmall and positive
CVery large and positive
DExactly 1
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Diamagnetic susceptibility is small and negative.
Q24.Paramagnetic substances are generallyApplication
AWeakly attracted by a magnetic field
BStrongly repelled by a magnetic field
CCompletely unaffected
DPermanent magnets in every condition
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Paramagnetic substances are weakly attracted to an external magnetic field.
Q25.The magnetic susceptibility of a paramagnetic substance is generallyApplication
ASmall and positive
BSmall and negative
CExactly zero
DAlways negative and large
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Paramagnetic susceptibility is small and positive.
Q26.Ferromagnetic substances are generallyApplication
AStrongly attracted by a magnetic field
BWeakly repelled
CCompletely non-magnetic
DAlways diamagnetic
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Ferromagnetic materials can show strong magnetisation and strong attraction to magnetic fields.
Q27.Which set contains ferromagnetic substances?Application
AIron, cobalt, nickel
BCopper, bismuth, water
CAluminium, copper, bismuth
DWater, glass, copper
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Iron, cobalt and nickel are standard examples of ferromagnetic substances.
Q28.Which set is most consistent with common diamagnetic examples?Application
AIron, cobalt, nickel
BBismuth, copper, water
CAluminium, iron, nickel
DCobalt, nickel, iron
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Bismuth, copper and water are commonly cited diamagnetic examples.
Q29.Which material is commonly classified as paramagnetic?Exam Focus
AAluminium
BIron
CBismuth
DCopper
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Aluminium is a common example of a paramagnetic substance.
Q30.The strong magnetic response of ferromagnetic materials is associated withExam Focus
AMagnetic domains
BAbsence of electrons
CZero magnetic moments everywhere
DGravitational fields
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Ferromagnetism is explained using regions called magnetic domains whose moments can align strongly.
Q31.Magnetisation of a material is defined asExam Focus
AMagnetic moment per unit volume
BMagnetic field per unit area
CForce per unit charge
DCurrent per unit length
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Magnetisation M represents magnetic dipole moment per unit volume.
Q32.The SI unit of magnetisation isExam Focus
AA m²
BA/m
CT m²
DN/C
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Since magnetisation is magnetic moment divided by volume, its SI unit is A/m.
Q33.When a magnetic material is placed in an external magnetic field, magnetisation describesExam Focus
AThe macroscopic magnetic response per unit volume
BIts mass density only
CIts electric resistance only
DIts temperature only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Magnetisation is a macroscopic measure of the magnetic moment developed per unit volume.
Q34.A ferromagnetic substance heated above its Curie temperature generally becomesExam Focus
AParamagnetic
BSuperconducting
CDiamagnetic in the usual school-level description
DA vacuum
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Above the Curie temperature, ferromagnetic order is lost and the material behaves approximately as a paramagnet.
Q35.As temperature increases, the magnetic ordering responsible for ferromagnetism is generallyExam Focus
AStrengthened indefinitely
BWeakened
CUnchanged at all temperatures
DConverted directly into electric charge
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Thermal agitation disrupts the ordered alignment of magnetic domains.
Q36.Which pairing is correct?Exam Focus
ADiamagnetic — weak attraction
BParamagnetic — weak attraction
CFerromagnetic — weak repulsion
DDiamagnetic — strong permanent magnetism
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Paramagnetic substances are weakly attracted to an applied magnetic field.
Q37.Which pairing is correct?Exam Focus
ADiamagnetic — negative susceptibility
BParamagnetic — negative susceptibility
CFerromagnetic — weak negative susceptibility
DParamagnetic — zero susceptibility
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Diamagnetic susceptibility is negative; paramagnetic susceptibility is positive.
Q38.If the angle between m and B changes from 90° to 0°, the torqueExam Focus
AChanges from maximum to zero
BChanges from zero to maximum
CRemains maximum
DDoubles
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
τ = mB sinθ, so torque falls from mB at 90° to zero at 0°.
Q39.A student says, “Magnetic field lines can cross because different lines represent different field strengths.” The statement isExam Focus
ACorrect
BIncorrect because a crossing would give two field directions at one point
CCorrect only inside magnets
DCorrect only outside magnets
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
At a given point the magnetic field has a unique direction, so field lines cannot intersect.
Q40.Which statement best matches the current CBSE 2026–27 Chapter 5 scope?Exam Focus
ADetailed Earth-magnetism calculations are compulsory
BQualitative bar-magnet field, torque, field lines, magnetic materials, magnetisation and temperature effects are included
COnly Gauss's law is included
DOnly numerical problems are included
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The official 2026–27 curriculum specifies the listed Chapter 5 concepts and describes the dipole-field and torque treatment qualitatively.

Official 2026–27 SQP-Linked Extension — 41 to 50

Read this distinction carefully: The questions below are separated from the core section because they cover concepts such as relative permeability and Gauss’s law for magnetism that are not explicitly listed in the Chapter 5 syllabus wording but have appeared in official CBSE assessment material. Use the official 2026–27 Class XII SQP/MS page and the linked Physics SQP/Marking Scheme for the primary reference.
Q41.In the official 2026–27 Physics SQP-linked extension, relative permeability μr is related to permeability μ and free-space permeability μ0 bySQP Extension
Aμr = μ0/μ
Bμr = μ/μ0
Cμr = μ + μ0
Dμr = μμ0
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Relative permeability is defined as the ratio μ/μ0.
Q42.The net magnetic flux through any closed surface, according to Gauss's law for magnetism, isSQP Extension
AAlways positive
BAlways negative
CZero
DEqual to electric charge
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Gauss's law for magnetism states that the net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero.
Q43.Gauss's law for magnetism is consistent with the fact thatSQP Extension
AIsolated magnetic monopoles have not been observed
BElectric charges do not exist
CMagnetic fields have no direction
DMagnets have only one pole
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The absence of isolated magnetic monopoles is consistent with zero net magnetic flux through a closed surface.
Q44.For a material with μ = μ0, the relative permeability isSQP Extension
A0
B1
Cμ0
D2
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
μr = μ/μ0 = 1.
Q45.If μ = 3μ0, the relative permeability isSQP Extension
A1/3
B2
C3
D3μ0
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
μr = μ/μ0 = 3.
Q46.For an isotropic linear magnetic material, a commonly used relation isSQP Extension
Aμr = 1 + χm
Bμr = 1 − χm always
Cμr = χm − 1
Dμr = χm/μ0
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
In the linear relation B = μ0(H + M) with M = χmH, μr = μ/μ0 = 1 + χm.
Q47.If the net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero, it means that the surface hasSQP Extension
ANo magnetic field anywhere
BEqual net inward and outward magnetic flux
CNo field lines crossing it
DNo magnet nearby
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Zero net flux does not mean the field is absent; it means the algebraic total through the closed surface is zero.
Q48.Which statement correctly distinguishes a magnetic field line from an electric field line in the monopole picture?SQP Extension
AMagnetic field lines form closed loops
BMagnetic field lines must end on magnetic monopoles
CMagnetic field has no field lines
DMagnetic field lines are always straight
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Magnetic field lines form closed loops because isolated magnetic poles are not observed.
Q49.A material has μr = 1. If μ0 is the permeability of free space, its permeability μ isSQP Extension
Aμ0
B0
C1/μ0
D2μ0
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
From μr = μ/μ0, μr = 1 gives μ = μ0.
Q50.Why is the SQP-linked extension separated from the core section on this page?SQP Extension
ABecause the official 2026–27 curriculum and the official SQP should never be compared
BBecause some concepts appear in the official SQP even though they are not explicitly listed in the Chapter 5 syllabus wording
CBecause those concepts are unrelated to magnetism
DBecause MCQs cannot test them
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The separation keeps the page transparent: the current syllabus wording is treated as the core scope, while SQP-linked concepts are clearly identified as an extension.

Rapid Revision Map

ConceptRememberCommon Trap
Field linesOutside N→S; inside S→N; closed loops; never intersect.Do not draw magnetic field lines as open lines ending at a pole.
Dipole momentFor a current coil, m = NIA; SI unit A m².Do not confuse magnetic dipole moment with magnetisation.
Torqueτ = mB sinθ; maximum at 90°, zero at 0° and 180°.Torque is not maximum when m is parallel to B.
MaterialsDia: weak repulsion, small negative χ; Para: weak attraction, small positive χ; Ferro: strong response.Do not reverse the signs of dia/paramagnetic susceptibility.
MagnetisationMagnetic moment per unit volume; SI unit A/m.It is not magnetic moment itself and not measured in A m².
TemperatureHeating disrupts magnetic ordering; ferromagnets lose ferromagnetic order above Curie temperature.Do not say heating strengthens ferromagnetic ordering.
SQP extensionμr = μ/μ0; net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero.Zero net flux does not mean the magnetic field is zero everywhere.

Chapter 5 Resources

Final MCQ Check

☐ I can distinguish axial and equatorial positions.
☐ I know when magnetic torque is zero or maximum.
☐ I can classify dia-, para- and ferromagnetic materials.
☐ I know the definition and SI unit of magnetisation.
☐ I understand the temperature effect on ferromagnetism.
☐ I can distinguish core syllabus from the SQP-linked extension.
Important: These are original practice questions, not predictions of the board paper and not official CBSE questions unless a source is explicitly identified. Always use the latest official CBSE curriculum and assessment material as the final authority.

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