Exploring Magnets MCQs for UPSC Prelims

105 practice questions covering Exploring Magnets, organised into 0 topics. 105 questions include a written explanation. Pick a topic below, or try the samples first.

Sample questions

Q1
easy

A magnet can attract an iron pin

  1. A only when it touches the pin
  2. B only when the pin is heated
  3. C even without touching it
  4. D only when the pin is wet
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - even without touching it

A magnet exerts its force across a gap, so a pin jumps towards it before any contact is made. Touching is not needed for the pull to act. Wetting or heating the pin does not decide whether a magnet can attract it.

Q2
easy

A bar magnet is dipped into a heap of iron filings and lifted out. Where do most of the filings stick?

  1. A Evenly all along the magnet
  2. B Near the two ends
  3. C Near the middle only
  4. D Nowhere on the magnet
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Near the two ends

The magnetic effect is strongest at the poles, so most of the filings cling near the two ends. Very few filings stick near the middle of a bar magnet. The magnet certainly does attract the filings, so saying none stick is wrong.

Q3
hard

Assertion (A): A magnet can attract an iron pin only when the two are touching. Reason (R): The pull of a magnet becomes weaker as the distance between the magnet and the pin increases. Choose the correct option.

  1. A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  2. B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  3. C A is true, but R is false
  4. D A is false, but R is true
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - A is false, but R is true

A pin jumps to a magnet across a gap, so contact is not needed and the assertion is false. The pull really does weaken as the distance grows, so the reason is true. Because the assertion is false, the two choices calling both statements true fail, and the choice calling the reason false is wrong.

Q4
easy

Which of these is a non-magnetic material?

  1. A Rubber
  2. B Iron
  3. C Nickel
  4. D Cobalt
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Rubber

Rubber is not attracted by a magnet, so it is a non-magnetic material. Iron, nickel and cobalt are the three common magnetic materials. A magnet pulls each of those three but has no effect at all on rubber.

Q5
hard

Assertion (A): A horseshoe magnet has two poles. Reason (R): A magnet bent into a curved shape loses one of its poles. Choose the correct option.

  1. A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  2. B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  3. C A is true, but R is false
  4. D A is false, but R is true
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - A is true, but R is false

A horseshoe magnet, like every magnet, carries a north pole and a south pole, so the assertion is true. Bending a magnet into a curve does not remove a pole, so the reason is false. Since the reason is false, the two choices calling both statements true fail, and the choice calling the assertion false is wrong.

Q6
hard

Assertion (A): A magnet is used to pick up steel pins that have fallen on the floor. Reason (R): Magnets are made in many shapes, such as bars, rings and horseshoes. Choose the correct option.

  1. A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  2. B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  3. C A is true, but R is false
  4. D A is false, but R is true
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

Steel pins contain iron, so a magnet picks them up easily and the assertion is true. Magnets really are made in many shapes, so the reason is true as well. The variety of magnet shapes has nothing to do with why the pins are picked up, so the reason does not explain the assertion.

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