BANGALORE SAHODAYA SCHOOLS COMPLEX ASSOCIATION

PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION -1 (2024-2025)

Class: XII SUBJECT: PHYSICS Date: 18.12.2024

Time: 3 Hours CODE:(042) SET 1 Marks: 70 Marks

General Instructions:
• The duration of the exam mentioned is the writing time. In addition, 15 minutes are assigned for
reading. The first 15 minutes must be utilized for reading the QP alone and nothing must be written in
the answer sheet during this period.
• Answer the questions neatly and in the same order.
• This question paper has a total of 33 questions under 5 sections.
o Section A contains 12 MCQs and 4 AR questions of 1 mark each;
o Section B contains 5 very short answer questions of 2 marks each;
o Section C contains 7 short answer questions of 3 marks each;
o Section D contains 2 CBQs of 4 marks each, and
o Section E contains 3 long answer questions of 5 marks each.
• There is no overall choice. However, one questions each, under Sections B and C and all three
questions under Section E have internal choices. One question in each of the CBQs has internal
choice. You must attempt only one of the choices in such questions.
• You must show the details of your work for sections B, C and E to earn full credit.
• Calculators are not permitted.
• A table of useful natural constants is given below.

TABLE OF NATURAL CONSTANTS

Permittivity Constant ϵ0 = 8.85 × 10−12 𝐶 2/𝑁𝑚2
Permeability Constant μ0 = 4π × 10−7 𝑇𝑚/𝐴
Electrostatic Constant 𝑘 = 1/4πϵ0 = 8.99 × 109 𝑁𝑚2
Speed of light in vacuum 𝑐 = 2.9979/𝐶× 2108 𝑚. 𝑠 −1
Fundamental Unit of Charge 𝑒 = 1.60217 × 10−19 𝐶
Mass of electron 𝑚𝑒 = 5.48597 × 10−4 𝑢
Mass of proton 𝑚𝑝 = 1.007276 𝑢
Mass of neutron 𝑚𝑛 = 1.008665 𝑢
Atomic Mass Unit 1𝑢 = 1.660539 × 10−27 𝑘𝑔
Energy equivalent of 1amu 1𝑢𝑐 2 = 931.5 𝑀𝑒𝑉
Planck’s Constant ℎ = 6.626 × 10−34 𝐽. 𝑠 −1
 SECTION A
(16 x 1 Mark = 16 Marks)
(Answer all the questions)
1) The electrostatic interaction between the point charges 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 is attractive if,
(A) 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 < 0 (B) 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 > 0 (C) 𝑞1 × 𝑞2 > 0 (D) 𝑞1 × 𝑞2 < 0

2) Two metal spheres, whose radii are in the ratio 𝑟1 : 𝑟2 = 1: 4, are kept far away and are put in electrical
contact by connecting them by means of a copper wire. what is the ratio of the electrical fluxes on their
surface?
(A) Φ𝐸1 : Φ𝐸2 = 1: 2 (B) Φ𝐸1 : Φ𝐸2 = 2: 1
(C) Φ𝐸1 : Φ𝐸2 = 1: 4 (D) Φ𝐸1 : Φ𝐸2 = 4: 1

3) A charged particle is in uniform circular motion inside a magnetic field. If its velocity is doubled,
(A) its orbital period quadruples. (C) its orbital radius quadruples.
(B) its orbital period remains unchanged. (D) its orbital radius remains unchanged.

4) The magnetic susceptibility of a superconductor is:

(A) 0 > 𝜒𝐵 > 1 (B) −1 < 𝜒𝐵 < 0 (C) 𝜒𝐵 = −1 (D) 𝜒𝐵 = +1

5) Transformer cores are laminated to minimize:

(A) Eddy loss (B) Hysteresis loss (C) Flux leakage (D) Ohmic loss.

6) The resonant frequency of water molecules is within the frequency range of which of the following
kind of electromagnetic radiation?
(A) Gamma Rays (B) UV Rays (C) IR Rays (D) Microwaves.

7) When the angle of incidence for a light ray incident on the refracting surface of an equilateral triangular
prism is 45𝑜 the ray suffers minimum deviation. The angle of minimum deviation and the refractive
index of the prism are:
(A) δ𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 30𝑜 ; 𝑛 = √2 (C) δ𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 30𝑜 ; 𝑛 = √3
(B) δ𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 45𝑜 ; 𝑛 = √2 (D) δ𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 45𝑜 ; 𝑛 = √3

8) The ratio of the amplitudes of the waves from the two coherent sources in a Young’s Double Slit
experiment is 𝑎1 : 𝑎2 = 1: 2. What is the ratio of the maximum to minimum intensities of the resulting
interference fringes?
(A) 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 : 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2: 1 (C) 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 : 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 9: 1
(B) 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 : 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 8: 1 (D) 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 : 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 4: 1

9) Which of the following statements regarding the central maxima of a single slit diffraction pattern is
correct?
(A) It is wider for a blue light than for a red light.
(B) Its width increases if the slit width decreases.
(C) It is wider in a medium with higher refractive index.
(D) It is independent of the slit width.

10) For an electron accelerated through an electric potential difference of 𝑉, its de Broglie wavelength is
related to the potential as:
(A) 𝜆𝑑𝐵 ∝ √𝑉 (B) 𝜆𝑑𝐵 ∝ 1/√𝑉 (C) 𝜆𝑑𝐵 ∝ 𝑉 (D) λ𝑑𝐵 ∝ 1/𝑉
 11) According to the Bohr’s atom model, what is the change in the orbital angular momentum of an
electron undergoing a Lymann-β emission transition?
(A) Δ𝐿 = −2ℏ (B) Δ𝐿 = −ℏ (C) Δ𝐿 = +ℏ (D) Δ𝐿 = +2ℏ

12) A 50 𝐻𝑧 AC signal is input, simultaneously, to a half-wave rectifier and a full-wave rectifier. What
are the output frequencies of the half-wave rectifier (𝑓ℎ𝑤 ) and the full-wave rectifier (𝑓𝑓𝑤 )?
(A) 𝑓ℎ𝑤 = 25 𝐻𝑧; 𝑓𝑓𝑤 = 50 𝐻𝑧 (C) 𝑓ℎ𝑤 = 50 𝐻𝑧; 𝑓𝑓𝑤 = 100 𝐻𝑧
(B) 𝑓ℎ𝑤 = 50 𝐻𝑧; 𝑓𝑓𝑤 = 50 𝐻𝑧 (D) 𝑓ℎ𝑤 = 25 𝐻𝑧; 𝑓𝑓𝑤 = 100 𝐻𝑧

Two statements, labeled Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given. Select the most appropriate answer from
the options given below for these statements.

(A) If both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(B) If both A and R are true but R does not explain A
(C) If A is true but R is false
(D) If A is false but R is true.

13) Assertion (A): The resistivity of semiconductors decreases with increase in temperature.
Reason (R): As the temperature increases, the relaxation time decreases.

14) Assertion (A): A swimming pool appears shallower than it is.

Reason (R): Refraction of paraxial rays at the water-air boundary creates a virtual image that is closer
to the surface than the object from which they originated.

15) Assertion (A): The nucleus of 56

26𝐹𝑒 has the highest density.
Reason (R): Binding energy per nucleon is maximum for a mass number of 𝐴 = 56.

16) Assertion (A): In a PN Junction diode, the reverse bias current is independent of the bias voltage.
Reason (R): The reverse bias current is due to the thermally generated electron-hole pairs drifting
across the junction.

SECTION B
5 × 2 Marks = 10 Marks
(Answer all the questions)
17) Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on a 10 𝑛𝐶 charge that is 9.0 𝑐𝑚 away from
an infinitely long uniform charge distribution of linear charge density of 𝜆 = 13 𝜇𝐶. 𝑚−1 . (2)

18) Explain why the kinetic energy of a moving charged particle does not change upon entering a region
permeated by a magnetic field. (2)
(OR)

A small square loop of sides 2.0 𝑐𝑚 and resistance 3.2 𝑚Ω is placed coaxially at the center of a long
solenoid with 20 turns per centimeter. Calculate the magnitude of the induced current in the square
loop, if the current in the solenoid is increasing as a rate of 10 𝐴. 𝑠 −1 . (2)
 19) Two identical equiconvex lenses made of glass (𝑛𝑔 = 3/2) each with
focal length of 𝑓 = 30 𝑐𝑚, are kept in contact. The gap between the two
is filled with water (𝑛𝑤 = 4/3). Find the focal length of the
combination. (2)

Question 19
20) Answer the following related to the Bohr atom model:
(a) State any two limitations of the Bohr atom model. (1)
(b) Explain how Bohr’s third postulate explains absorption and emission line spectra. (1)

21) Draw the energy band diagrams of

(a) an intrinsic semiconductor (for 𝑇 > 0 𝐾) and (1)
(b) a P type semiconductor, showing the acceptor energy level. (1)

SECTION C
7 × 3 Marks = 21 Marks
(Answer all the questions)

22) A 2.0 𝜇𝐹 and a 8.0 𝜇𝐹 capacitors are connected to a battery of

emf 𝑉 = 12 𝑉 through a toggle switch. The 2.0μ𝐹 capacitor is
first charged by connecting the toggle switch to position 1. What
percentage of the stored electrostatic energy is lost when the
toggle switch is turned to position 2? (3)

Question 22
23) Answer the following regarding the mobility of a charge carrier:
(a) Define the term mobility of a charge carrier and write down its SI unit. (1 + 1/2)
(b) When a constant potential difference is maintained across an electrolyte made of sodium and
chlorine ions, the drift speed of sodium ions is found to be 70 × 10−6 𝑚𝑠 −1. If the sodium to
chlorine mass ratio is 27: 35, what is the drift speed of chlorine ions? (1 + 1/2)

24) The rms voltages across an inductor, a capacitor and a resistor in a series LCR circuit (shown in the
figure) are, respectively, 𝑉𝐿𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 40 𝑉, 𝑉𝐶𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 10 𝑉 and 𝑉𝑅𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 40 𝑉. If the amplitude of the current
oscillations is 𝐼𝑚 = 10√2 𝐴, calculate the following

(a) Impedance of the circuit. (1+1/2)

(b) Average power over a cycle. (1+1/2)

Question 24
25) Answer the following related to displacement current:
(a) What is meant by the term displacement current? Write the mathematical expression for it. (1)
(b) For a parallel plate capacitor connected to a DC source through a wire, show that during the
charging and discharging of the capacitor, the displacement current between the plates is equal to
the conduction current through the wire. (2)
26) A compound microscope is constructed with convex lenses of focal lengths 0.5 𝑐𝑚 and 5.0 𝑐𝑚. An
amoeba of size 0.25 𝑚𝑚 is viewed through the microscope by placing it at a distance of 0.75 𝑐𝑚 in
front of the objective. Taking the least distance of distinct vision as 𝐷 = 25 𝑐𝑚, find the following:
(a) magnifying power achieved for a relaxed vision (normal adjustment). (2)
(b) angular size of the amoeba, when it is seen through the microscope. (1)
(OR)
(a) State the Huygen’s Principle on the propagation of wavefronts. (1)
(b) With the aid of a neat diagram, derive the Snell’s law for the refraction of a plane wavefront at a
plane boundary with the wave propagating from an optically denser medium into an optically rarer
medium. (2)

27) The Lenard-Hallwachs experiment on photoelectric effect is performed by irradiating six different
metal targets with a monochromatic visible light of wavelength λ = 400 𝑛𝑚. The work functions of
the different target metal surfaces are given in the Table shown aside. Answer the following:

(a) Which of these metal surfaces display photoelectric effect

for this wavelength? (1)

(b) Calculate the stopping potential for sodium. (1)

(c) Calculate the threshold wavelength for photoelectric

emission in gold. (1)
Question 27

28) Answer the following related to a full wave rectifier:

(a) With the aid of a neat circuit diagram, explain (briefly) the working of a full wave rectifier. (2)
(b) For a sinusoidally oscillating AC input, draw the output forms of a full wave rectifier with and
without a capacitor filter. (1)

SECTION D
2 × 4 Marks = 08 Marks
(Answer all the questions)

29) A current loop acts as a magnetic dipole with a dipole moment whose magnitude is equal to the product
of the current and the loop area (𝑚 = 𝐼𝐴). When a magnetic dipole is placed in an external magnetic
field it experiences a torque given by 𝜏⃗ = 𝑚 ⃗⃗.
⃗⃗⃗ × 𝐵

A moving coil galvanometer is a coil with a large number of turns (𝑁) placed in an external uniform
radial magnetic field (an isotropic configuration such that the magnetic field is always perpendicular
to the plane of the loop). The coil is connected to a pointer attached to a spring which provides a
restoring torque that is proportional to the angle of deflection.
τ𝑟𝑒𝑠 ∝ ϕ; τres = κ ϕ, where κ is the torsional constant of the spring.
 For a uniform radial magnetic field, the torque produced is
proportional to the current through the coil (τ𝑚 ∝ 𝐼). The
deflection stabilizes when the torque due to the interaction of the
current with magnetic field equilibrates with the restoring torque
of the spring.

Therefore, the angle of deflection at equilibrium is proportional

to the current through the coil.
Question 29
τm = τres ⟹ ϕ ∝ 𝐼; ⟹ ϕ = 𝑆𝐼 𝐼
The constant of proportionality, 𝑆𝐼 , is called the Current Sensitivity of the galvanometer.
A galvanometer is made of a coil with 𝑁 turns and has a loop area 𝐴. It is placed in a uniform radial
magnetic field of strength 𝐵. The torsional constant of the spring used is 𝜅.

I. What is the torque exerted by the magnetic field on the coil, if a current 𝐼 flows through it? (1)
(A) 𝜏 = 𝑁𝐼/𝐴𝐵 (B) 𝜏 = 𝑁𝐼𝐴/𝐵 (C) 𝜏 = 𝐼𝐴/𝑁𝐵 (D) 𝜏 = 𝑁𝐼𝐴𝐵

II. Which of the following is an accurate definition of current sensitivity? (1)

(A) Current required to produce unit deflection. (C) Torque produced per unit current.
(B) Deflection produced per unit current. (D) Torque produced per unit deflection.

III. The correct expression for the current sensitivity of the galvanometer is: (1)
(A) 𝑆𝐼 = 𝑁𝐼𝐴𝐵/𝜅 (B) 𝑆𝐼 = 𝐼𝐴/𝑁𝜅𝐵 (C) 𝑆𝐼 = 𝑁𝐴𝐵/𝜅 (D) 𝑆𝐼 = 𝑁𝐴ϕ/κ𝐵

IV. The SI unit for current sensitivity is: (1)

(A) 𝑟𝑎𝑑. 𝐴−1 (B) 𝑇. 𝐴−1 (C) 𝐴. 𝑇 −1
(D) 𝐴. 𝑟𝑎𝑑 −1

(OR)
The current sensitivity of a galvanometer:
(A) decreases with increasing current in the coil.
(B) decreases with increasing magnetic field strength of the radial magnetic field.
(C) is independent of the current through the coil.
(D) is independent of the field strength of the radial magnetic field.

30) Two kinds of particles constitute atomic nuclei, positively charged protons and a electrically neutral
neutrons. The mass of neutron is almost equal to the mass of proton. The word nucleon is a collective
term to refer to either of the nuclear particle. The number of protons in a nucleus is called atomic
number and is represented by the symbol 𝑍. The atomic number determines the chemical and physical
properties of a particular nuclide. The mass of a nucleus is directly proportional to the number of
nucleons in it. Therefore, the total number of nucleons in a nucleus is called mass number and is
represented by the symbol 𝐴. Alpha particle and electron scattering experiments show that the radius
of a nucleus is proportional to the cube-root of the mass number. 𝑅 ∝ 𝐴1/3. The neutron number (𝑁)
of a nucleus is just the difference between its mass number and the atomic number. i.e. 𝑁 = 𝐴 – 𝑍.

Nuclides (nuclear species) are represented by the symbol 𝐴𝑍𝑋, where 𝑋 is the chemical symbol of the
species. All nuclides which differ in mass number and neutron number but have the same atomic
number are called isotopes. All nuclides that differ in atomic number and neutron number but have
the same mass number are called isobars. All nuclides that differ in atomic number and mass number
but have the same neutron number are called isotones.
 I. If the radius of 27 125
13𝐴𝑙 nucleus is 3.6 𝑓𝑚, what is the radius of 51𝑆𝑏 nucleus?
(A) 6.0 𝑓𝑚 (B) 12.0 𝑓𝑚 (C) 17 𝑓𝑚 (D) 18 𝑓𝑚

II. If the density of 27 17 −3 125

13𝐴𝑙 nucleus is 2.2 × 10 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚 , what is the density of 51𝑆𝑏 nucleus?
(A) 3.6 × 1016 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚−3 (C) 3.6 × 1017 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚−3
(B) 2.2 × 1017 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚−3 (D) 10 × 1017 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚−3

III. Beta-minus particles are emitted when a neutron inside a nucleus is converted to proton. If nuclide
X emits a beta-minus particle and becomes nuclide Y, then X and Y are related to each other as:
(A) isotopes (B) isotones (C) isobars (D) either isotopes or isotones

IV. Which of the following pairs are isobars?

(A) 136𝐶 and 147𝑁 (B) 146𝐶 and 147𝑁 (C) 136𝐶 and 126𝐶 (D) 42𝐻𝑒 and 32𝐻𝑒
(OR)
Which of the following pairs are isotones?
(A) 146𝐶 and 147𝑁 (B) 136𝐶 and 147𝑁 (C) 40 40
18𝐴𝑟 and 19𝐾 (D) 40 40
18𝐴𝑟 and 20𝐶𝑎

SECTION E
3 × 5 Marks = 15 Marks
(Answer all the questions)

31) (a) Define the term capacitance of a capacitor and state its SI unit. (1)
(b) What happens to the capacitance of the capacitor, (1)
(i) if the distance between the plates is doubled?
(ii) If the voltage across the plates is doubled?

(c) A parallel plate capacitor is made of circular plates of radius 60 𝑐𝑚 separated by a distance of
1.0 𝑚𝑚. The capacitor is first charged by connecting its plates to a 12 𝑉 battery. Calculate the charge
stored in the capacitor. (2)

(d) With the capacitor still connected to the battery, a dielectric slab of dielectric constant 𝜅 = 5 and
thickness 1.0 𝑚𝑚 is inserted until all the space between the plates is filled. Calculate the charge that
will be drawn from the battery when the dielectric slab is introduced. (1)

(OR)

(a) Explain why the resistivity of metals increase with temperature while that of semiconductors
decrease with temperature. (1)

(b) Two cells are connected in parallel. The emf’s and internal resistances of the two cells are given as
(𝜀1 , 𝑟1 ) = (3.0 𝑉, 0.1Ω) and (𝜀2 , 𝑟2 ) = (2.0 𝑉, 0.2 Ω). Calculate the effective internal resistance and
effective emf of the battery. (2)
 (c) A graph of the potential difference across a
cell is plotted as a function of the current drawn
from it. Answer the following:

(i) Determine the emf of the cell. (1)

(ii) Determine the internal resistance of the

cell. (1)

32) (a) State the Ampere’s circuital law. (1)

(b) Use the Ampere’s law to derive an expression for the

magnetic field at the centre of the axis of a long solenoid
with 𝑁 turns within a length 𝐿 carrying a current 𝐼. (2)

(c) Three straight parallel current carrying conductors that

are long are as shown in the figure. Determine the direction
and magnitude of the force acting per unit length, on the
conductor that is in the middle. (2)

Question 32(c)
(OR)
(a) A metal rod of length 50 𝑐𝑚 is rotated anticlockwise on a horizontal plane with a frequency of
120 𝑟𝑝𝑚 , with its one end hinged at the centre. A uniform magnetic field of 15 𝑇 is parallel to the
axis of rotation and is directed upward.
(i) What is the potential difference across the length of the rod? (2)
(ii) Which end of the rod (hinged end? Or free end?) is at a higher potential? Why? (1)

(b) A circular coil of resistance 10 Ω is placed in a

time varying magnetic flux. The magnetic flux starts
with an initial value of 0.0 𝑊𝑏 and changes for a
period of 100 𝑚𝑠, before it reaches a steady value. A
graph of the variation of the induced current with time
over this time interval of flux change is as shown in
the figure. What is the value of the magnetic flux,
when its value stabilized? (2)

Question 32-b(Choice 2)
33) (a) State the two conditions for the occurrence of Total Internal Reflection (TIR). (1)

(b) The refractive index of water is 𝑛𝑤 = 4/3. A transparent

gas has a refractive index of 2/√3. What is the critical angle
for the water-gas interface? (1)

(c) A monochromatic ray of light is incident (from air) at an

angle θ with the normal on the face AB of an equilateral prism
made of a material of refractive index √2. What is the Question 33(c)
condition on θ so that the light ray emerges through face AC?
(3)

(OR)

(a) Draw a wavefront diagram showing a plane wave passing through a symmetric bi-convex lens. In
the same diagram mark the focal point of the lens and show the light rays. (2)

(b) In a Young’s double slit experiment, a screen is placed at a distance of 50 𝑐𝑚 from two slits that
are separated by 0.5 𝑚𝑚 and are illuminated by monochromatic light of wavelength 500 𝑛𝑚. Find
the distance between the 3𝑟𝑑 bright fringe to the left of the centre to the 2𝑛𝑑 dark fringe to the right
of the centre. (3)

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