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Magnetism and Matter Class 12 Physics PYQs 2026-27 | CBSE
CBSE Class 12 Physics · Chapter 5 · 2026–27
Magnetism and Matter Class 12 Physics PYQs with Solutions
Selected and paraphrased previous-year-question themes for CBSE Class 12 Physics Chapter 5, organised by marks with concise answer guidance, current-syllabus scope notes and official CBSE resources.
PYQs + SolutionsChapter 5CBSE 2026–27 Scope-AwareImportant: These are paraphrased PYQ-based prompts, not verbatim reproductions of copyrighted board papers. The year labels identify the year attached to the researched question source. For exact papers, use the official CBSE question-paper archive.
Current-syllabus rule: The CBSE 2026–27 curriculum is the primary scope reference. Historical PYQs can contain topics that are not explicitly listed in the current Chapter 5 wording; those are marked as historical/legacy or extension practice rather than being presented as compulsory 2026–27 content. The current curriculum lists bar magnet, equivalent solenoid, qualitative dipole-field treatment, torque, field lines, magnetic materials, magnetisation and temperature effects. Read the official 2026–27 Physics curriculum.
1. 1-Mark PYQs — Verified Recent Themes
2025
A small magnetic dipole produces a field on its axial line. How does the field magnitude depend on distance r?
Answer / solution focus: For a short dipole, the axial field varies as 1/r³.
2025
A diamagnetic substance is brought near the north and south poles of a bar magnet. What happens?
Answer / solution focus: It is repelled by both poles.
2025
A freely moving piece of diamagnetic material is placed in a uniform magnetic field. In which direction does it move?
Answer / solution focus: It tends to move toward the weaker-field region, i.e. opposite the direction of increasing field strength.
2025
Which type of material has negative magnetic susceptibility?
Answer / solution focus: Diamagnetic material.
2025
Which of the following types is not paramagnetic?
Answer / solution focus: Use the material classification carefully; the reported PYQ tests recognition of diamagnetic/paramagnetic examples.
2024
What is the magnetic susceptibility of a diamagnetic material?
Answer / solution focus: It is small and negative.
2024
Which pair represents paramagnetic materials?
Answer / solution focus: The reported question tests classification of common materials; identify the pair from their magnetic nature.
2023
Which material has permeability less than that of free space?
Answer / solution focus: A diamagnetic material; among the reported options, copper is an example.
2023
Which material has negative susceptibility among typical options?
Answer / solution focus: A diamagnetic material; lead is a standard example in the reported PYQ.
2023
Which material has relative permeability between 0 and 1?
Answer / solution focus: A diamagnetic material; the reported options include water.
2. 2-Mark PYQs — Concept + Reasoning
2024
State Gauss's law for magnetism and explain its physical significance.
Answer / solution focus: The net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero; this is consistent with the absence of isolated magnetic monopoles.
2024
A question gives the horizontal component and dip angle of Earth's field. Find the vertical component and total field.
Answer / solution focus: Use tanδ = Bv/Bh and B² = Bh² + Bv². This is a historical Earth-magnetism PYQ and should be treated as legacy-scope practice for 2026–27.
2023
Two magnetic needles are placed in different relative orientations. In which case is potential energy minimum, and where is equilibrium not obtained?
Answer / solution focus: Use U = −m·B and the torque condition τ = mB sinθ.
2023
Do magnetic field lines represent lines of force for a moving charged particle at every point? Also state how Gauss's law would change if monopoles existed.
Answer / solution focus: Field lines represent the magnetic-field direction, not necessarily the particle-force direction; hypothetical monopoles would alter the zero-flux interpretation.
2021
A location in southern India has a stated dip angle. Would the dip generally be greater or smaller in Britain?
Answer / solution focus: It generally increases in magnitude toward a magnetic pole. This is a historical Earth-magnetism PYQ.
2021
A circular coil with N turns and radius r has magnetic moment M. It is unwound and rewound into 2N turns for the same current. How is the new moment found?
Answer / solution focus: Use m = NIA together with conservation of total wire length.
2020
A bar magnet is held at an angle in a uniform magnetic field by an external mechanical force. How is the equilibrium condition analysed?
Answer / solution focus: Balance the magnetic torque mB sinθ against the applied mechanical torque.
2011
A material has relative permeability below unity. Identify the magnetic class and state the susceptibility relation.
Answer / solution focus: It is diamagnetic; in SI, μr = 1 + χ, so χ is negative.
3. 3-Mark PYQs — Higher-Order Practice
2024
A material has susceptibility χ = 0.00019 at room temperature. Identify its class and describe the temperature dependence reported in the PYQ.
Answer / solution focus: The small positive value identifies a paramagnetic material; the reported solution uses Curie-type inverse temperature dependence. Treat the detailed temperature-law aspect as historical/extension content for the current syllabus.
2024
A place has a given horizontal component of Earth's magnetic field and dip angle. Find the vertical component and total intensity.
Answer / solution focus: Use Bv = Bh tanδ and B = Bh/cosδ. Historical Earth-magnetism practice.
2023
Explain the main properties of magnetic field lines for a bar magnet.
Answer / solution focus: They indicate field direction, form continuous closed curves, do not intersect, and their density represents relative field strength.
2023
Identify a material from the way magnetic field lines are modified around it.
Answer / solution focus: A diamagnetic material tends to weaken/exclude the field in its region; a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material enhances field concentration to different degrees.
2021
Find the magnetic dipole moment of a circular coil with N turns, radius r and current I, and state its direction.
Answer / solution focus: m = NIπr²; the direction is normal to the plane of the coil by the right-hand rule.
2011
A material's permeability or susceptibility is given. Explain how it can be classified as diamagnetic or paramagnetic.
Answer / solution focus: μr < 1 corresponds to negative χ and diamagnetism; a slightly greater-than-unity μr corresponds to small positive χ and paramagnetism.
4. Long-Answer / Historical PYQ Themes
2003
A bar magnet is cut into two equal pieces transverse to its length. Compare the pole strength and magnetic moment of each piece.
Answer / solution focus: Pole strength remains unchanged for each piece while magnetic length is halved; therefore each piece has half the original magnetic moment.
Historical
Explain the bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid and relate it to magnetic dipole moment.
Answer / solution focus: A current-carrying solenoid has a dipole-like external field; its magnetic moment is proportional to NIA.
Historical
Compare diamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic substances using their response to an external magnetic field.
Answer / solution focus: Diamagnetic: weak repulsion and negative χ; paramagnetic: weak attraction and small positive χ; ferromagnetic: strong response and large positive susceptibility in the usual treatment.
Historical
Explain why ferromagnetic behaviour changes with temperature and identify the role of Curie temperature.
Answer / solution focus: Thermal agitation disrupts magnetic ordering; above Curie temperature, ferromagnetic behaviour is lost and the material becomes paramagnetic.
Historical
Explain why a permanent magnet should have high coercivity.
Answer / solution focus: High coercivity makes the material resistant to demagnetisation and helps it retain magnetisation.
Historical
Explain the relation between magnetic susceptibility and relative permeability in the SI treatment.
Answer / solution focus: For the simple linear relation used in this context, μr = 1 + χ.
5. PYQ Pattern & Current-Syllabus Audit
Frequently represented ideas
Recent compilations repeatedly feature magnetic materials, susceptibility/permeability, magnetic dipole moment, field-line behaviour, torque and short-dipole relationships.
Recent compilations repeatedly feature magnetic materials, susceptibility/permeability, magnetic dipole moment, field-line behaviour, torque and short-dipole relationships.
Historical caution
Several older PYQ collections also contain Earth's magnetism, Gauss's law, hysteresis and other broader textbook material. These are retained here only when useful as historical practice and are clearly identified.
Several older PYQ collections also contain Earth's magnetism, Gauss's law, hysteresis and other broader textbook material. These are retained here only when useful as historical practice and are clearly identified.
2026–27 assessment context: CBSE has published the Class XII 2026–27 SQP and marking scheme resources. Use the current SQP alongside PYQs to understand present assessment style, but do not treat the SQP as a replacement for the curriculum. CBSE Class XII 2026–27 SQP & MS.
6. How to Use Magnetism and Matter PYQs
Round 1 — Recall
Attempt without notes and identify the chapter concept being tested.
Attempt without notes and identify the chapter concept being tested.
Round 2 — Diagnose
Label the error: concept, formula, unit, calculation or answer presentation.
Label the error: concept, formula, unit, calculation or answer presentation.
Round 3 — Reattempt
Redo the missed PYQ after 24–48 hours without looking at the answer.
Redo the missed PYQ after 24–48 hours without looking at the answer.
7. Chapter 5 Study Resources
Chapter 5 Complete Notes
Chapter 5 Important Questions
Chapter 5 MCQs
Chapter 5 Numericals
Chapter 5 Case-Based Questions
Chapter 5 Assertion–Reason
Official CBSE Question Paper Archive
CBSE 2026–27 SQP & Marking Scheme
Next in the Chapter 5 sequence: Formula Sheet + Quick Revision. That future page will be linked here only after its actual live URL is published and verified.
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