A compass needle free to turn in a horiz | Class 12 Physics Chapter Magnetism and Matter, Magnetism and Matter NCERT Solutions

Current NCERT chapter

Academic session 2026-27, Chapter 5 in the current curriculum.

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics - Chapter Magnetism and Matter. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 1, Question 20:

A compass needle free to turn in a horizontal plane is placed at the centre of circular coil of 30 turns and radius 12 cm. The coil is in a vertical plane making an angle of 45º with the magnetic meridian. When the current in the coil is 0.35 A, the needle points west to east.

(a) Determine the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field at the location.

(b) The current in the coil is reversed, and the coil is rotated about its vertical axis by an angle of 90º in the anticlockwise sense looking from above. Predict the direction of the needle. Take the magnetic declination at the places to be zero.

. With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.

Question 20:

A compass needle free to turn in a horizontal plane is placed at the centre of circular coil of 30 turns and radius 12 cm. The coil is in a vertical plane making an angle of 45º with the magnetic meridian. When the current in the coil is 0.35 A, the needle points west to east.

(a) Determine the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field at the location.

(b) The current in the coil is reversed, and the coil is rotated about its vertical axis by an angle of 90º in the anticlockwise sense looking from above. Predict the direction of the needle. Take the magnetic declination at the places to be zero.

Answer:

Number of turns in the circular coil, N= 30

Radius of the circular coil, r= 12 cm = 0.12 m

Current in the coil, I= 0.35 A

Angle of dip, δ= 45°

(a) The magnetic field due to current I, at a distance r, is given as:

Where,

μ0= Permeability of free space = 4π× 10 - 7Tm A - 1

= 5.49 × 10 - 5T

The compass needle points from West to East. Hence, the horizontal component of earth's magnetic field is given as:

BH= Bsin δ

= 5.49 × 10 - 5sin 45° = 3.88 × 10 - 5T = 0.388 G

(b) When the current in the coil is reversed and the coil is rotated about its vertical axis by an angle of 90 º, the needle will reverse its original direction. In this case, the needle will point from East to West.


Study Tips for Answering NCERT Questions:

NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:

  • Read the question carefully and focus on the core concept being asked.
  • Reference examples and data from the chapter when answering questions about Magnetism and Matter.
  • Review previous year question papers to get an idea of how such questions may be framed in exams.
  • Practice answering questions within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
  • Discuss your answers with your teachers or peers to get feedback and improve your understanding.

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Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 1 , Question 20: A compass needle free to turn in a horizontal plane is placed at the centre of circular coil of 30 t....

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