Pick the correct statements from among the following:
(a) Electric field and magnetic field are basically independent.
(b) Electric field and magnetic field are the two aspects of the electromagnetic field.
(c) Electric field and magnetic field may be produced by a charge at rest.
(d) A moving charge produces both electric and magnetic fields.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (b) and (d) are correct
(a) Electric field and magnetic field are basically independent. — False. The two are closely linked. Moving charges (currents) produce a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic flux induces an emf.
(b) Electric field and magnetic field are the two aspects of the electromagnetic field. — True. Maxwell unified the laws of electricity and magnetism. In an electromagnetic wave, the two fields oscillate together and travel as one wave.
(c) Electric field and magnetic field may be produced by a charge at rest. — False. A charge at rest produces only an electric field. A magnetic field needs moving charges or currents.
(d) A moving charge produces both electric and magnetic fields. — True. A moving charge still has its electric field, and its motion produces a magnetic field in addition.
NCERT (2026-27):
Introduction – “Both Electricity and Magnetism have been known for more than 2000 years. However, it was only about 200 years ago, in 1820, that it was realised that they were intimately related.”
Introduction – “Following this, there was intense experimentation. In 1864, the laws obeyed by electricity and magnetism were unified and formulated by James Maxwell who then realised that light was electromagnetic waves.”
Sources and Fields – “Just as static charges produce an electric field, the currents or moving charges produce (in addition) a magnetic field, denoted by B (r), again a vector field.”