PHYSICS VIVA QUESTIONS TILL CHPT 5

Here’s an exhaustive list of possible viva questions for each chapter you uploaded,
along with concise answers. The questions are categorized by chapter to ensure
thorough coverage of the topics.

Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields

1. What is an electric charge?

o A property of particles that causes them to experience a force in an
electric field.
2. State the properties of electric charges.
o Two types: positive and negative; like charges repel, unlike charges
attract; charges are conserved and quantized.
3. What is Coulomb's law?
o F=kq1q2r2F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}, where kk is Coulomb’s constant.
4. Define electric field.
o E=F/qE = F/q, where FF is the force on a test charge qq.
5. What is the principle of superposition?
o The net force on a charge is the vector sum of forces from all other
charges.
6. What is a dipole?
o Two equal and opposite charges separated by a distance.

o Φ=E⃗⋅A⃗\Phi = \vec{E} \cdot \vec{A}, the product of the electric field

7. Define electric flux.

and the area perpendicular to it.

8. State Gauss's law.
o The electric flux through a closed surface is Φ=qenclosedε0\Phi = \
frac{q_{enclosed}}{\varepsilon_0}.

Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

1. What is electrostatic potential?

o Work done to move a unit positive charge from infinity to a point.
2. Define equipotential surface.
o A surface where the potential is constant.
3. Explain the concept of a capacitor.
o A device that stores electric charge and energy.
4. State the formula for capacitance.
o C=Q/VC = Q/V, where QQ is charge and VV is potential difference.
5. What is the energy stored in a capacitor?
o U=12CV2U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2.
6. What happens to capacitance when a dielectric is inserted?
 o Capacitance increases as C=κC0C = \kappa C_0, where κ\kappa is the
dielectric constant.
7. What is the potential due to a point charge?
o V=q4πε0rV = \frac{q}{4\pi \varepsilon_0 r}.
8. Explain the concept of potential energy in an electric field.
o The energy a charge has due to its position in the electric field.

Chapter 3: Current Electricity

1. Define electric current.

o The rate of flow of charge: I=QtI = \frac{Q}{t}.
2. State Ohm’s law.
o V=IRV = IR.
3. What is resistivity?
o ρ=RAl\rho = R \frac{A}{l}, resistance per unit length and area.
4. What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?
o Resistance depends on material and dimensions; resistivity depends only
on the material.
5. What is drift velocity?
o The average velocity of electrons in a conductor: vd=InAev_d = \frac{I}
{nAe}.
6. State Kirchhoff’s laws.
o Current law: The sum of currents at a junction is zero.
Voltage law: The sum of potential differences in a loop is zero.
7. Define the EMF of a cell.
o The total energy provided per coulomb of charge.
8. What is a Wheatstone bridge?
o A circuit used to measure unknown resistances using the principle of
null deflection.

Chapter 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism

1. State the Biot-Savart law.

o dB=μ04πIdlsin⁡θr2dB = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{I dl \sin \theta}{r^2}.
2. What is Lorentz force?
o F=q(E+v×B)F = q(E + v \times B).
3. What is the right-hand thumb rule?
o Thumb points in the current direction, and fingers curl in the direction of
the magnetic field.
4. Define a solenoid.
o A coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when current flows
through it.
5. What is a cyclotron?
 oA device to accelerate charged particles using a magnetic field and
alternating electric field.

o ∮B⋅dl=μ0Ienclosed\oint B \cdot dl = \mu_0 I_{enclosed}.

6. Explain Ampere’s circuital law.

7. What is the magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor?

o F=I(l×B)F = I (l \times B).
8. What is the torque on a current loop?
o τ=nIABsin⁡θ\tau = nIAB \sin \theta.

Chapter 5: Magnetism and Matter

1. What are magnetic field lines?

o Lines that represent the direction and strength of a magnetic field.
2. Explain the concept of a magnetic dipole.
o A magnetic dipole consists of two magnetic poles of equal magnitude
and opposite polarity.
3. What is Earth’s magnetic field?
o A field resembling a bar magnet tilted at an angle to Earth’s rotational
axis.
4. Differentiate between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic
materials.
o Diamagnetic: Weakly repel magnetic fields.
Paramagnetic: Weakly attract magnetic fields.
Ferromagnetic: Strongly attract and retain magnetic fields.
5. What is hysteresis?
o The lag between the magnetization of a material and the magnetic field.
6. State Gauss’s law for magnetism.
o The net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero.
7. Explain the working of a tangent galvanometer.
o It measures current using the tangent of the deflection angle of a
magnetic needle.

LAWS FROM FIRST 5 CHPTS

Below are the laws mentioned in the syllabus with their proper statements:

Electric Charges and Fields

1. Coulomb's Law:
 o The force of attraction or repulsion between two stationary point charges is
directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. The force
acts along the line joining the charges.

Formula: F=kq1q2r2F = k \frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}

2. Gauss's Law:
o The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to 1ε0\frac{1}{\
varepsilon_0} times the net charge enclosed within that surface.

Formula: Φ=∮E⃗⋅dA⃗=qenclosedε0\Phi = \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = \

frac{q_{enclosed}}{\varepsilon_0}

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

1. Superposition Principle:
o The net potential at a point due to multiple charges is the algebraic sum of the
potentials due to each individual charge.

Formula: V=V1+V2+⋯+VnV = V_1 + V_2 + \dots + V_n

2. Energy Stored in a Capacitor:

o The energy stored in a capacitor is proportional to the square of the voltage
across it.

Formula: U=12CV2U = \frac{1}{2} C V^2

Current Electricity

1. Ohm's Law:
o The current flowing through a conductor between two points is directly
proportional to the voltage across the two points, provided the temperature and
other physical conditions remain constant.

Formula: V=IRV = IR

2. Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL):

o At any junction in an electrical circuit, the sum of currents entering the
junction is equal to the sum of currents leaving the junction.
Statement: ∑Iin=∑Iout\sum I_{in} = \sum I_{out}.
3. Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL):
o The algebraic sum of all the potential differences in a closed loop of a circuit
is zero.
Formula: ∑V=0\sum V = 0.
Moving Charges and Magnetism

1. Biot-Savart Law:
o The magnetic field dBdB at a point due to a small current element is directly
proportional to the current II, the length of the element dldl, and the sine of the
angle between the element and the line joining the element to the point, and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance rr between them.

Formula: dB=μ04πI dlsin⁡θr2dB = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{I \, dl \sin \theta}{r^2}

2. Ampere’s Circuital Law:

o The line integral of the magnetic field B⃗\vec{B} around a closed loop is equal
to μ0\mu_0 times the total current passing through the loop.

Formula: ∮B⃗⋅dl⃗=μ0Ienclosed\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I_{enclosed}

3. Lorentz Force Law:

o The total force on a charged particle moving in an electric and magnetic field
is the sum of the electric force qE⃗q\vec{E} and the magnetic force q(v⃗×B⃗)q(\
vec{v} \times \vec{B}).

Formula: F⃗=q(E⃗+v⃗×B⃗)\vec{F} = q(\vec{E} + \vec{v} \times \vec{B})

4. Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction (concept covered later but often

connected):
o The induced EMF in a closed circuit is equal to the negative rate of change of
magnetic flux through the circuit.

Formula: E=−dΦBdt\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}

Magnetism and Matter

1. Gauss's Law for Magnetism:

o The net magnetic flux through any closed surface is zero, indicating that
magnetic monopoles do not exist.

Formula: ∮B⃗⋅dA⃗=0\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{A} = 0

2. Ampere’s Law for Magnetism:

o Relates the integrated magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric
current passing through the loop.

Formula: ∮B⃗⋅dl⃗=μ0I\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I

 VIVA QUESTIONS FROM CH 6 TO 10

Electromagnetic Induction

1. State Faraday’s Law of Induction.

o The induced EMF in a closed circuit is equal to the negative rate of change of
magnetic flux through the circuit.
ε=−dΦdt\varepsilon = -\frac{d\Phi}{dt}ε=−dtdΦ.
2. State Lenz's Law.
o The direction of the induced current is such that it opposes the change in
magnetic flux causing it.

Alternating Current

1. What is the RMS value of AC?

o The root mean square (RMS) value is the effective value of AC, defined as
Irms=Im2I_{rms} = \frac{I_m}{\sqrt{2}}Irms=2Im.
2. Explain resonance in an AC circuit.
o Resonance occurs when the inductive reactance equals the capacitive
reactance, leading to maximum current in the circuit.

Electromagnetic Waves

1. What are Maxwell's equations?

o A set of equations unifying electricity and magnetism, predicting the existence
of electromagnetic waves.
2. What is displacement current?
o A current term added by Maxwell, due to a changing electric field, to make
Ampere’s law consistent.

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

1. State the laws of reflection.

o The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, and the incident ray,
reflected ray, and the normal lie in the same plane.
2. State Snell’s Law.
o The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of
refraction is constant for two given media.
sin⁡isin⁡r=n\frac{\sin i}{\sin r} = nsinrsini=n.
Wave Optics

1. What is Huygens’ Principle?

o Every point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary wavelets, and the
new wavefront is the tangent to these wavelets.
2. What is interference of light?
o The superposition of two light waves leading to regions of constructive and
destructive interference.

VIVA QUESTIONS GIVEN BY SIR

1. DEFINE RESISTIVITY
2. WHAT IS THE UNIT OF RESISTIVITY
3. HOW DID YOU CALCULATE RESISTIVITY
4. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESISTANCE (R) AND
RESISTIVITY(ROW)
5. DEFINE OHM’S LAW
6. DEFINE CURRENT
7. LEAST COUNT OF SCREW GUAGE=0.01 mm
8. PRINCIPLE BEHIND METER BRIDGE :BALANCED CONDITION
OF WHEAT STONE BRIDGE
9. WHAT ARE UNITS OF CURRENT AND HOW TO VERIFY IT?
10. DEFINE FIGURE OF MERIT?
11. WHAT ARE APPLICATIONS OF CONVEX LENS
12. WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS OF CONCAVE AND CONVEX
MIRROR
13. IN THE EXPERIMENT OF I-V CHARACTERISTICS P-N
JUNCTION DIODE WHY THE GRAPH IS NOT STARTING FROM
ORIGIN?
14. WHAT IS DEPLETION LAYER?
15. WHAT IS POTENTIAL BARRIER AND WHAT IS POTENTIAL
BARRIER FOR SILLICON AND GERMANIUM
16. WHAT IS MEAN BY BIAS?
17. WHAT IS FORWARD BIAS?
18. WHAT IS REVERSE BIAS?
19. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY I-V CHARASTICS IN PN JUNCTION
DIODE EXPERIMENT?
20. HOW TO CALCULATE INPUT AND OUTPUT RESISTANCE?
21. STATE THE APPLICATIONS OF P-N JUNCTION DIODE
22. EXPLAIN HALF AND FULL WAVE RECTIFIERS
23. WHAT ARE ENERGY GAP VALUES FOR P AND N IN
SEMICINDUCTORS?
24. WHAT IS PHOTO ELECTRIC EFFECT?
25. WHAT IS REFRACTIVE INDEX
26. WHAT ARE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM DEVIATIONS
27. WHAT IS CRITICAL ANGLE
28. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR TOTAL INTERNAL
REFLECRION
 29. WHAT ARE SOE APPLICATIONS OF TOTAL INTERNAL
REFLECTION?
30. STATE SNELLS LAW
31. WHAT IS WAVE FRONT?
32. STATE HUYGENS WAVE THEORY AND WHAT IS THE POINT
WE CONSIDER
33. WHAT IS PRISM?

ANSWERS FOR THE ABOVE QUESTIONS

1. Define Resistivity

 Resistivity (ρ\rho) is a material property that quantifies how strongly a material

opposes the flow of electric current. It is the resistance of a unit cube of the material.
 Formula: ρ=RAl\rho = R \frac{A}{l}, where RR is resistance, AA is the cross-
sectional area, and ll is the length.

2. What is the Unit of Resistivity?

 The SI unit of resistivity is ohm meter (Ω·m).

3. How Did You Calculate Resistivity?

 Resistivity is calculated using the formula:

ρ=RAl\rho = R \frac{A}{l},
where RR is measured using a meter bridge, AA is calculated using the diameter of
the wire (measured with a screw gauge), and ll is the wire’s length.

4. What is the Difference Between Resistance and Resistivity?

 Resistance (R): Depends on the material, length, and cross-sectional area of the
conductor.
Unit: Ohms (Ω).
 Resistivity (ρ\rho): Depends only on the material’s property, independent of the
length or cross-sectional area.
Unit: Ohm meter (Ω·m).
5. Define Ohm’s Law

 At constant temperature, the current flowing through a conductor is directly

proportional to the potential difference across it:
V=IRV = IR.

6. Define Current

 Current (II) is the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor:

I=QtI = \frac{Q}{t},
where QQ is charge and tt is time.
Unit: Ampere (A).

7. Least Count of Screw Gauge

 The least count of a screw gauge is 0.01 mm, meaning it can measure up to 0.01 mm
accurately.

8. Principle Behind Meter Bridge

 The meter bridge works on the balanced condition of a Wheatstone bridge, where
the ratio of resistances in one branch is equal to the ratio in the other.

9. What are Units of Current and How to Verify It?

 Unit: Ampere (A).

 Verification: Verified using an ammeter, which measures the current in the circuit.

10. Define Figure of Merit

 Figure of merit of a galvanometer is the current required to produce a deflection of

one division in the galvanometer scale.
Unit: Ampere per division (A/div).

11. What are Applications of Convex Lens?

 Applications:
 o Magnifying glass.
o Used in cameras, microscopes, and telescopes.
o Corrects farsightedness (hypermetropia).

12. What are Applications of Concave and Convex Mirrors?

 Concave Mirror:
o Used in shaving mirrors and solar concentrators.
o Reflecting telescopes.
 Convex Mirror:
o Used as rearview mirrors in vehicles.
o Security mirrors in shops.

13. Why Doesn't the Graph in the I-V Characteristics of a P-N Junction Start
from the Origin?

 Due to the potential barrier, a minimum voltage (threshold voltage) is required to

overcome it before current starts flowing.

14. What is Depletion Layer?

 The region near the p-n junction where free electrons and holes recombine, leaving
behind immobile ions and creating an electric field.

15. What is Potential Barrier, and Its Values for Silicon and Germanium?

 The potential barrier is the voltage across the depletion region that prevents the flow
of charge carriers.
o For Silicon: ~0.7 V.
o For Germanium: ~0.3 V.

16. What is Meant by Bias?

 Bias refers to the application of voltage across a p-n junction to control its
conductivity.

17. What is Forward Bias?

  When the p-side is connected to the positive terminal and the n-side to the negative
terminal, reducing the potential barrier and allowing current to flow.

18. What is Reverse Bias?

 When the p-side is connected to the negative terminal and the n-side to the positive
terminal, increasing the potential barrier and preventing current flow (except leakage
current).

19. What Do You Mean by I-V Characteristics in a P-N Junction Diode

Experiment?

 The I-V characteristics show the relationship between the current (I) and voltage (V)
across the diode, illustrating its behavior in forward and reverse bias.

20. How to Calculate Input and Output Resistance?

 Input Resistance: Ratio of input voltage to input current.

 Output Resistance: Ratio of output voltage to output current.

21. Applications of P-N Junction Diode

 Used as rectifiers, voltage regulators, signal limiters, and light-emitting diodes

(LEDs).

22. Explain Half and Full Wave Rectifiers

 Half-Wave Rectifier: Converts only one-half of the AC cycle into DC.

 Full-Wave Rectifier: Converts both halves of the AC cycle into DC.

23. What are Energy Gap Values for P and N in Semiconductors?

 The energy gap (EgE_g) is ~1.1 eV for silicon and ~0.7 eV for germanium.

24. What is the Photoelectric Effect?

  The emission of electrons from a metal surface when light of sufficient frequency
falls on it.

25. What is Refractive Index?

 The ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to its speed in a medium:

n=cvn = \frac{c}{v}.

26. What are Minimum and Maximum Deviations?

 Minimum Deviation: The smallest angle of deviation of light passing through a

prism.
 Maximum Deviation: When light undergoes extreme bending due to the angle of
incidence.

27. What is Critical Angle?

 The angle of incidence beyond which light undergoes total internal reflection instead
of refraction.

28. Conditions for Total Internal Reflection

 The light must travel from a denser to a rarer medium.

 The angle of incidence must exceed the critical angle.

29. Applications of Total Internal Reflection

 Fiber optics, periscopes, and diamond brilliance.

30. State Snell’s Law

 The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is
constant:
sin⁡isin⁡r=n\frac{\sin i}{\sin r} = n.
31. What is a Wavefront?

 A wavefront is a surface connecting all points of a wave that are in phase.

32. State Huygens’ Wave Theory

 Every point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary wavelets, and the new
wavefront is the envelope of these wavelets.

33. What is a Prism?

 A transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refracts light.