Electromagnetism is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 Physical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What produces a magnetic field around a straight conductor?
An electric current flowing through the conductor
The conductor's temperature
The colour of the conductor
The conductor being stationary with no current flowing
Answer: An electric current flowing through the conductor — A current flowing through a conductor always produces a magnetic field around it; this is the basis of electromagnetism.
Easy
2. When using the Right-Hand Rule for a straight current-carrying wire, what does the thumb represent?
The direction of conventional current flow
The direction of the magnetic field
The strength of the current
The location of the north pole of the Earth
Answer: The direction of conventional current flow — For a straight wire, the right thumb points in the direction of conventional current, while the curled fingers show the direction of the circular magnetic field around the wire.
Medium
3. What shape do the magnetic field lines form around a long, straight current-carrying wire?
Concentric circles around the wire
Straight lines parallel to the wire
Straight lines perpendicular to the wire, radiating outward
No consistent pattern
Answer: Concentric circles around the wire — The magnetic field around a straight current-carrying wire forms concentric circles centred on the wire.
