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NCERT Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 Notes, Moving Charges and Magnetism Class 12 Chapter 4 Notes

NCERT Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 Notes, Moving Charges and Magnetism Class 12 Chapter 4 Notes

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 07, 2025 06:23 PM IST

Have you ever thought about how a motorcycle’s engine starts or how a fan spins when activated? The everyday activities we perform are made possible by the movement of electrically charged particles and magnetism- the fundamentals of electric motors and generators. NCERT Notes for Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 provided by Careers360 are meticulously crafted to make difficult topics easier to understand. These notes simplify the chapter by analysing key formulas and basic ideas.

This Story also Contains
  1. NCERT Notes for Class 12 Chapter 4: Download PDF
  2. NCERT Notes for Class 12 Chapter 4 Moving Charges and Magnetism
  3. Moving Charges and Magnetism Previous Year Question and Answer
  4. NCERT Class 12 Notes Chapterwise
NCERT Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 Notes, Moving Charges and Magnetism Class 12 Chapter 4 Notes
NCERT Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 Notes, Moving Charges and Magnetism Class 12 Chapter 4 Notes

These NCERT Notes are aligned with the latest CBSE Syllabus and cover all key topics such as Biot-Savart’s Law, Ampere’s Circuital Law, and Lorentz Force. The important formulas, derivations, and diagrams of class 12 physics chapter 4 can be found here. NCERT Notes of Class 12 Moving Charges and Magnetism helps in scoring well in CBSE board exams by simplifying complex concepts and formulas. It is well-organised and concise, which makes it ideal for last-minute study and recapping before exams. You can also find some of the previous years' questions from this chapter to practice and test your knowledge.

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NCERT Notes for Class 12 Chapter 4: Download PDF

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NCERT Notes for Class 12 Chapter 4 Moving Charges and Magnetism

The notes for chapter 4 are a comprehensive collection of all concepts covered in the NCERT textbook. Clear and organized notes increase the effectiveness of preparing for board examinations, competitive admission exams like JEE and NEET, and even finishing assignments.

Magnetic Field, Lorentz Force:

A moving charge is the source of the magnetic field.

Assume q is a positive charge moving in a uniform magnetic field with velocity v

FqBvsinθF=kqBvsinθ [ k is constant]

Where in S.I. system k=1

F=qvBsinθ and

F=q(v×B)

In the equation, we can observe this F=qvBsinθ, if

q=1,v=1sinθ=1

then F=B

As a result, magnetic field strength can be defined as the force experienced by a unit charge moving at unit velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field's direction.

Some cases for this:

  1. If θ=0o or 180o
    F=0
    There will be no force acting on a charged particle moving parallel to the magnetic field.

  2. When
    v=0,F=0
    A charged particle in a magnetic field will not experience any force when it is at rest.

  3. When θ=90,sinθ=1 then the force will be maximum
    Fmax=qvB
    The highest force will be experienced by a charged particle moving perpendicular to the magnetic field.

S.I. unit of magnetic field intensity:

The S.I unit is tesla (T).

B=Fqvsinθ

When

q=1C,v=1 m/s,θ=90
That is sinθ=1,F=1 N

Then B=1T

When a charge of 1C at a velocity of 1 m/s encounters a force of 1N while moving at a right angle to a magnetic field, the strength of the magnetic field is called 1T.

Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

Force acting on a current-carrying conductor kept in a magnetic field will be

F=IlBsinθ

I be the current flowing through the conductor in this case.

B be the strength of the magnetic field.

l denotes the conductor's length.

θ be the angle formed by the current direction and the magnetic field.

If θ=0 or 180,sinθ0F=0
There will be no force acting on a conductor if it is kept parallel to the magnetic field.

If
θ=90,sinθ=1
F will be maximum
Fmax=IlB
The conductor will be experiencing maximal force if it is kept normal to the magnetic field.

Motion of Charged Particle in a Uniform Magnetic Field:

In a uniform magnetic field B , the path of a charged particle moving at v producing an angle θ with B will be a helix. Because the charged particle will not be supplied a force by the component of velocity vcosθ, the particle will move forward with a fixed velocity in the direction of B. The other component, vsinθ, will produce the force F=qBvsinθ, which will provide the necessary centripetal force to the charged particle moving along a circular route with radius r.

Centripetal force = Magnetic Lorentz force

m(vsinθ)2r=Bqvsinθ
vsinθ=Bqrm

Radius of the circular path,

R=mvBq

Angular velocity of rotation,

ω=vsinθr=Bqm

Frequency of rotation,

v=ω2π=Bq2πm

The time period of revolution,

T=1v=2πmBq

Cyclotron:

Cyclotron is a technology that we use to accelerate positively charged particles and thereby energize them. This can be achieved by immersing the particle in a perpendicular magnetic field that oscillates and an electric field that oscillates. A circular path will be followed by the particle.

Biot- Savart’s Law:

The Biot-Savart Law is a fundamental principle in electromagnetism that describes how magnetic fields are generated by electric currents. Because of a current element dl, the strength of magnetic flux density or magnetic field at a point P (dB) will be dependent on

dBIdBdldBsinθdB1r2

After we combine them:

dBIdlsinθr2dB=kIdlsinθr2

Where

k=μ04π,μ0=4π×107TA1mdB=μ0I4πdl×rr3

dB will be perpendicular to the plane containing dl.

Biot Savart law applications:

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B=μ0I2r

  • The magnetic field in the centre of a circular coil with n turns will be, if there are n turns.

B=μ0nI2r

The number of turns of the coil is denoted by n. I will be the coil's current, and r will be the radius of the coil.

  • Magnetic field caused by a straight conductor carrying current:

B=μ0I4πa×(sinϕ1+sinϕ2)

The perpendicular distance of the conductor from the place where the field is to the measured value will be denoted by a.

Φ1 and Φ2 will be the angles formed by the conductor's two ends meeting at the location.

ϕ1=ϕ2=π2B=μ04π2Ia

The Magnetic Field on the Axis of the Circular Current Carrying Loop

In the figure, it is shown that a circular loop of radius R carries a current I. Application of Biot-Savart law to a current element of length dl at angular position θ with the axis of the coil. the current in the segment d causes the field dB¯ which lies in the x-y plane as shown below.

Another symetric d¯ element that is diametrically opposite to previously d element cause dB.
Due to symmetry the components of dB and dB perpendicular to the x -axis cancel each other. i.e., these components add to zero.
The x-components of the dB combine to give the total field B at point P.

We can use the law of Biot-Savart to find the magnetic field at a point P on the axis of the loop, which is at a distance x from the center. d¯ and r^ are perpendicular and the direction of field dB¯ caused by this particular element d¯ lies in the x-y plane.

The magnetic field due to the current element is

dB=μoI4πdl×r^r2
Since r2=x2+R2
the magnitude dB of the field due to element d¯ is:

dB=μ0I4πd(x2+R2)
The components of the vector dB are

dBx=dBsinθ=μ0I4πd(x2+R2)R(x2+R2)1/2dBy=dBcosθ=μ0I4πd(x2+R2)x(x2+R2)1/2
Total magnetic field along axis =Baxis =dBx=dBsinθ

dBy=dBcosθ=0
Everything in this expression except d is constant and can be taken outside the integral.

The integral d of is just the circumference of the circle, i.e., d=2πR
So, we get
Baxis =μ0IR22(x2+R2)3/2 (on the axis of a circular loop)
If xR, then B=μ0IR22x3.
At centre.

x=0Bcentre =μ04π2πNiR=μ0Ni2R=Bmax

Ampere Circuital Law:

Ampere's circuits law states, the line integral of the magnetic field B around any closed curve is equal to μ0 times the total current i passing through the area enclosed by the curve.

Mathematical statement: Bdl=μ0i=μ0(i1+i3i2)

Also using B=μ0H( where H= magnetising field )
μ0Hdl=μ0ΣiHdl=Σi

Fingers are curled in the loop direction, the current in the direction of the thumb is taken as positive whereas in the direction opposite to that of the thumb is taken as negative.

Now, we can see that the total current crossing the above area is (i1+i3i2), so any current outside the given area will not be considered. So we have to assume

(Outward +ve, Inward ve )

General Guidelines for the Selection of Ampere's path for its Application in Different Situations

(i) Path should be chosen in such a way that at every point of the path magnetic induction should be either tangential to the path elements or normal to it so that the 'dot' product can be easily handled.

(ii) Path should be chosen in such a way that at every point of the path magnetic induction should either be uniform or zero so that calculations become easy.

Solenoid

A solenoid is defined as a cylindrical coil of many tightly wound turns of insulated wire with a general diameter of the coil smaller than its length. The solenoid has two ends and one end behaves like the north pole while the opposite end behaves like the south pole. As the length of the solenoid increases, the interior field becomes more uniform and the external field becomes weaker which can be seen from the diagram.

As the current flows a magnetic field is produced around and within the solenoid. The magnetic field within the solenoid is uniform and parallel to the axis of the solenoid.

If the solenoid is of infinite length and the point is well inside the solenoid, the magnetic field is given as
Bin=μ0ni

Here again, n = number of turns per unit length.

Note - The magnetic field outside the solenoid is zero.

Force between Two Parallel Currents

The properties of force between two parallel current-carrying conductors are as follows-

  1. If the current flows in the same direction, the two conductors will be drawn together by a force.

  2. When the current is flowing in the opposite direction, the two conductors repel each other with equal force.

The magnitude of the force acting per unit length can be given as

f12=f21=μ0I1I22πa

Torque on a Current Loop

As we have studied the electric dipole in a uniform electric field it will experience a torque similarly if we place a rectangular loop carrying a steady current i and placed in a uniform magnetic field experiences a torque. It does not experience a net force.

Let us consider a case when the rectangular loop is placed such that the uniform magnetic field B is in the plane of the loop. This is illustrated in the given figure. The field exerts no force on the two arms AD and BC of the loop. It is perpendicular to the arm AB of the loop and exerts a force F1 on it which is directed into the plane of the loop. Its magnitude is,

F1=IbB

Similarly, it exerts a force F2 on the arm CD and F2 is directed out of the plane of the paper.

F2=IbB=F1

Thus, the net force on the loop is zero. But these two forces are acting at a distance 'a' between them. This torque on the loop is due to the pair of forces F1 and F2. The figure given below shows that the torque on the loop tends to rotate anti-clockwise. This torque is (in magnitude),

τ=F1a2+F2a2=IbBa2+IbBa2=I(ab)B=IAB

where A = ab is the area of the rectangle.

Now we will discuss the case when the plane of the loop is making an angle θ with a magnetic field. In the previous case, we have considered θ=π2, but this is now a general case.

Here again, you can see that the forces on arms AB and CD are F1 and F2

F1=F2=IbB

Then the torque will be the

τ=F1a2sinθ+F2a2sinθ= Iab Bsinθ=IABsinθ

From the above equations, we can see that the torques can be expressed as the vector product of the magnetic moment of the coil and the magnetic field. We define the magnetic moment of the current loop as,

m=IA

If the coil has N turns then the magnetic moment formula becomes

m=NIA

Its direction is defined by the direction of the Area vector.

So, the Torque equation can be written as,

τ=m×B

The magnitude of the magnetic moment of a current-carrying loop is

|M|=NiA

i = current in the loop
N = number of turns in the loop
A = area of cross-section of the loop

Moving Coil Galvanometer:

The Moving Coil Galvanometer is based on the premise that if a coil carrying electricity is held in a magnetic field, it will experience torque. Because of the phosphor bronze strip, there is a restoring torque, which returns the coil to its usual position.

In equilibrium,

Deflecting torque = Restoring torque

I=knBAθ=Gθ

where Galvanometer constant

G=knBAIθ

The deflection made if the unit current is passed through the galvanometer is the current sensitivity of the galvanometer.

Is=θI=nBAk

The deflection caused by a unit potential difference placed across the galvanometer is known as voltage sensitivity.

Vs=θV=θIR=nBAkR

  • The maximum sensitivity of the galvanometer is having some conditions: -

If a modest current causes a big deflection, the galvanometer is said to be sensitive.

θ=nBAkI

Galvanometer To Voltmeter And Ammeter Conversion:

  • By connecting a high resistance to a galvanometer, it can be turned to a voltmeter.

Total resistance of voltmeter = Rg + R

Where Rg be the galvanometer resistance.

R be the resistance added in series.

Current through the galvanometer =

Ig=VRg+R

Here V is the potential difference across the voltmeter.

R=VIgG

  • By connecting a low resistance in parallel with a galvanometer, it can be transformed into an ammeter (shunt)

Shunt,

S=(IgIIg)Rg

where Rg be the galvanometer’s resistance.

The effective resistance of the ammeter will be,

R=RgRg+S

Moving Charges and Magnetism Previous Year Question and Answer

Q. 1 Biot-Savart law indicates that the moving electrons produce a magnetic field B such that
(1) Bv
(2) Bv
(3) It obeys inverse cube law
(4) It is along the line joining the electrons and point of observation

Answer:

According to the Biot-Savart law, the magnitude of B is B|q|,Bv

Bsinϕ,B1r2B|q|vsinϕr2B=μ04π|q|vsinϕr2

Where μ04π is the proportionality constant ' r ' is the magnitude of the position vector from charge to the point at which we have to find the magnetic field and ϕ is the angle between v and r

B is perpendicular to both v and r.

Hence, the answer is the option 1.

Q.2 An electron is projected with uniform velocity along the axis of a current-carrying long solenoid. Which of the following is true?
(1) the electron will be accelerated along the axis
(2) the electron path will be circular about the axis
(3) the electron will experience a force at 45o to the axis and hence execute a helical path
(4) the electron will continue to move with uniform velocity along the axis of the solenoid

Answer:

If the magnetic field of a current-carrying solenoid has a moving electron with uniform velocity across the axis, the electron will face a magnetic force due to the magnetic field determined by F=evBsin180=0 (in case of F=0, the velocity is parallel to the magnetic field or anti-parallel or θ=0 or 180). It will either result in the electron moving with uniform velocity and it will go undeflected across the solenoid axis.

Hence, the answer is the option 4.

Q.3 A charged particle q is moving in the presence of a magnetic field B which is inclined to an angle 30° with the direction of the motion of the particle. Draw the trajectory followed by the particle in the presence of the field and explain how the particle describes this path.

Answer:

The force acting on a charged particle in a magnetic field is given by ; F=q(V×B)

Where
q = charge of the particle
v = velocity of particle and
B = magnetic field in that region

Let velocity has a component along B, this component remains unchanged as the motion along the magnetic field will not be affected by the magnetic field.

The motion in a plane perpendicular to B is circular one, thereby producing a helical motion. Thus the described path will be helical as shown in the figure.

NCERT Class 12 Notes Chapterwise

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Moving Charges and Magnetism a difficult chapter to understand?

While the concepts may seem complex at first, with regular practice and a strong grasp of the basics (like vector cross product and magnetic field direction), the chapter becomes easier to understand and apply.

2. How much weightage does this chapter carry in the board exam?

This chapter generally carries around 7–8 marks in the CBSE Class 12 Physics board exam, making it important for scoring well.

3. What are the most important topics to focus on in this chapter?

Key topics include:

  • Biot–Savart Law
  • Ampere’s Circuital Law
  • Lorentz Force
  • Motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field
  • Force on a current-carrying conductor
  • Torque on a current loop in a magnetic field
4. Is this chapter important for JEE and NEET?

Yes, this chapter is crucial for both JEE Main/Advanced and NEET, as many conceptual and numerical questions are framed around magnetic effects of current and motion of charges in magnetic fields.

5. How can I remember the right-hand rule?

The right-hand rule helps determine the direction of the magnetic field or force. Point your thumb in the direction of current (or velocity), and your fingers in the direction of the magnetic field—the palm shows the direction of the force.

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A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

How many moles of magnesium phosphate, Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

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