Exploring Magnets – Important Questions and Answers
Premium CBSE Class 6 Science revision post on Exploring Magnets. This post covers natural and artificial magnets, magnetic and non-magnetic materials, poles of magnets, finding directions, magnetic compass, making a compass, attraction and repulsion, magnetic effect through materials, care of magnets, important questions and answers, case-based questions, HOTS, FAQs, and an interactive quiz.
Short Introduction
Magnets are very useful in daily life. They are found in pencil boxes, toys, purses, duster boards and compasses. This chapter helps us understand which materials are attracted by magnets, where the poles of a magnet are located, how magnets help in finding directions, how like and unlike poles behave, and how we can safely use and store magnets.
Chapter Overview
Natural and Artificial Magnets
Lodestone is a natural magnet. Many magnets used today are artificial magnets made in different shapes.
Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials
Some materials such as iron are attracted by magnets, while materials like wood, plastic and glass are not.
Poles of a Magnet
Magnets have two poles, North pole and South pole. Iron filings stick mostly near the poles.
Finding Directions
A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the north-south direction, which helps in navigation.
Attraction and Repulsion
Unlike poles attract each other, while like poles repel each other.
Magnetic Effect Through Materials
Magnetic effect can pass through non-magnetic materials such as wood, cardboard, plastic and glass.
Important Concept Flow
These are magnetic materials and get attracted towards a magnet.
This property is used for finding directions.
North-North and South-South push each other away.
North-South poles attract each other.
Important Keywords with Meanings
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Magnet | An object that attracts certain materials such as iron. |
| Lodestone | A naturally occurring magnet found in ancient times. |
| Natural magnet | A magnet found in nature, such as lodestone. |
| Artificial magnet | A man-made magnet prepared from suitable materials. |
| Bar magnet | A magnet in the shape of a bar. |
| U-shaped magnet | A magnet bent in the form of the letter U. |
| Ring magnet | A circular magnet with a hole at the centre. |
| Magnetic material | A material that is attracted towards a magnet. |
| Non-magnetic material | A material that is not attracted towards a magnet. |
| Iron filings | Very small pieces of iron used to study magnetic effects. |
| North pole | The end of a freely suspended magnet that points towards north. |
| South pole | The end of a freely suspended magnet that points towards south. |
| Pole of a magnet | The end region of a magnet where magnetic effect is strongest. |
| Freely suspended magnet | A magnet hung in such a way that it can move freely. |
| Magnetic compass | A device with a magnetic needle used to find directions. |
| Compass needle | A magnet in the shape of a needle inside a magnetic compass. |
| Attraction | The pulling effect between unlike poles or between a magnet and magnetic material. |
| Repulsion | The pushing away effect seen between like poles of magnets. |
| Navigation | Finding direction while travelling, especially on land or sea. |
| Matsya-yantra | An old Indian navigation device using a magnetised fish-shaped iron piece floating in oil. |
Very Short Answer Questions
1. What is a lodestone?
Answer: Lodestone is a naturally occurring magnet.
2. What are man-made magnets called?
Answer: Man-made magnets are called artificial magnets.
3. Name any one shape of magnet.
Answer: Bar magnet.
4. What are magnetic materials?
Answer: Materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials.
5. Name one magnetic material.
Answer: Iron.
6. Name two other magnetic metals besides iron.
Answer: Nickel and cobalt.
7. What are non-magnetic materials?
Answer: Materials that are not attracted towards a magnet are called non-magnetic materials.
8. Name one non-magnetic material.
Answer: Wood.
9. Where do iron filings stick most on a bar magnet?
Answer: Iron filings stick most near the ends of the magnet.
10. What are the two ends of a magnet called?
Answer: They are called poles of the magnet.
11. Name the two poles of a magnet.
Answer: North pole and South pole.
12. Can a single pole of a magnet exist alone?
Answer: No, a single pole cannot exist alone.
13. In which direction does a freely suspended magnet come to rest?
Answer: It comes to rest in the north-south direction.
14. Why does a freely suspended magnet rest in the north-south direction?
Answer: It rests in the north-south direction because Earth behaves like a giant magnet.
15. What is the North-seeking pole?
Answer: It is the end of the magnet that points towards north.
16. What is a magnetic compass?
Answer: A magnetic compass is a device used to find directions.
17. What is the shape of the magnet inside a compass?
Answer: It is in the shape of a needle.
18. What happens between unlike poles of two magnets?
Answer: Unlike poles attract each other.
19. What happens between like poles of two magnets?
Answer: Like poles repel each other.
20. Which property can be used to identify a magnet—attraction or repulsion?
Answer: Repulsion can be used to identify a magnet.
21. Can magnetic effect act through wood and plastic?
Answer: Yes, magnetic effect can act through wood and plastic.
22. Should magnets be heated or hammered?
Answer: No, magnets should not be heated or hammered.
23. What should be kept between two stored bar magnets?
Answer: A piece of wood should be kept between them.
24. What should be placed across the ends of stored magnets?
Answer: Two pieces of soft iron should be placed across the ends.
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the difference between natural magnets and artificial magnets?
Answer: Natural magnets occur in nature, such as lodestone. Artificial magnets are man-made magnets prepared from suitable materials and are available in different shapes like bar, U-shaped and ring magnets.
2. How can you identify magnetic and non-magnetic materials?
Answer: Bring a magnet near different objects. Materials that get attracted are magnetic materials. Materials that do not get attracted are non-magnetic materials.
3. Why are iron filings used while studying magnets?
Answer: Iron filings help us observe the magnetic effect clearly. They stick more near the ends of the magnet and show where the poles are located.
4. Why do iron filings not stick uniformly all over a magnet?
Answer: Iron filings do not stick uniformly because the magnetic effect is strongest at the ends of the magnet. Therefore, more filings collect near the poles.
5. What are poles of a magnet?
Answer: The two end regions of a magnet where magnetic attraction is maximum are called the poles of the magnet. These are the North pole and the South pole.
6. Why can a single pole of a magnet not be obtained?
Answer: When a magnet is broken into pieces, each smaller piece still has both North and South poles. Therefore, a single pole cannot exist independently.
7. How does a freely suspended magnet help in finding directions?
Answer: A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the north-south direction. The end pointing north is the North pole, and the other end points south. This property helps us find directions.
8. Why does an iron bar not always rest in the north-south direction?
Answer: An iron bar is not necessarily a magnet. So, when suspended, it can rest in any direction. Only a magnet always comes to rest in the north-south direction.
9. Describe the structure of a magnetic compass.
Answer: A magnetic compass is a small circular box with a transparent cover. It has a magnetic needle mounted on a pin so that it can rotate freely. A dial below the needle shows directions.
10. How can we make a simple magnetic compass?
Answer: Magnetise a sewing needle by rubbing it with one pole of a magnet many times in the same direction. Pass the needle through a cork and float it on water. When it comes to rest, it points in the north-south direction.
11. What is meant by attraction between magnets?
Answer: Attraction means the pulling effect between unlike poles of two magnets, such as North pole of one magnet and South pole of another.
12. What is meant by repulsion between magnets?
Answer: Repulsion means the pushing away effect between like poles of two magnets, such as North-North or South-South.
13. Why is repulsion a sure test for magnetism?
Answer: Magnetic materials like iron can be attracted by a magnet, but they do not repel it. Only a magnet can show repulsion with another magnet. So, repulsion is a sure test for magnetism.
14. What do we learn from placing wood, cardboard, plastic or glass between a magnet and compass needle?
Answer: We learn that magnetic effect can act through non-magnetic materials like wood, cardboard, plastic and glass.
15. How should magnets be stored safely?
Answer: Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles on the same side. A wooden piece should be placed between them and soft iron pieces should be kept across the ends. Magnets should not be heated, hammered or dropped.
Long Answer Questions
1. Explain magnetic and non-magnetic materials with examples.
Answer: Materials that get attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials. Iron is a common magnetic material. Nickel and cobalt are also magnetic metals. Some combinations of these metals are also attracted towards magnets. Materials that do not get attracted towards a magnet are called non-magnetic materials. Examples include wood, plastic, glass, cardboard and rubber. We can identify these materials by bringing a magnet near them and observing whether they get attracted or not.
2. How can we locate the poles of a magnet using iron filings?
Answer: Spread iron filings on a sheet of paper and place a bar magnet over them. Tap the paper gently. We observe that the iron filings stick more near the two ends of the magnet and only a few stick in the middle. This shows that the magnetic effect is strongest near the ends. These end regions are called the poles of the magnet. One pole is the North pole and the other is the South pole.
3. Explain why a freely suspended magnet always points in the north-south direction.
Answer: When a magnet is suspended freely, it can rotate without obstruction. It always comes to rest along the north-south direction. The end pointing towards north is called the North-seeking pole or North pole, and the other end is called the South-seeking pole or South pole. This happens because Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet, and the suspended magnet aligns itself with Earth’s magnetic field.
4. Write a detailed note on a magnetic compass.
Answer: A magnetic compass is a device used to find directions. It consists of a small circular box with a transparent cover. Inside the box, there is a magnetic needle mounted on a pin so that it can rotate freely. Below the needle, a dial is present with directions marked on it. The end of the needle that points north is often painted red. When the compass is placed on a horizontal surface, the needle comes to rest along the north-south direction. Thus, the compass helps us find north, south, east and west.
5. Describe the steps to make a simple magnetic compass at home.
Answer:
- Take a sewing needle, a magnet, a small cork piece, a bowl and water.
- Place the needle on a table.
- Rub one pole of the magnet over the needle along its length in one direction.
- Lift the magnet at the end and start again from the same end.
- Repeat this process 30–40 times to magnetise the needle.
- Pass the needle through the cork horizontally.
- Float the cork in a bowl of water so that the needle remains above the water level.
- When the needle comes to rest, it points in the north-south direction and works like a compass.
6. Explain attraction and repulsion between magnets.
Answer: When two magnets are brought close to each other, they may either attract or repel. Unlike poles attract each other, that is, North pole of one magnet and South pole of another magnet pull each other. Like poles repel each other, that is, North pole with North pole and South pole with South pole push each other away. This behavior is a basic property of magnets and helps in identifying their poles.
7. Why is repulsion considered a sure test to identify a magnet?
Answer: A magnetic material like iron can be attracted by both poles of a magnet, but it cannot repel a magnet. Only another magnet can repel one of the poles of a magnet when like poles are brought together. Therefore, if repulsion is observed, the object must be a magnet. This is why repulsion is considered a sure test for magnetism.
8. Explain how magnetic effect can act through non-magnetic materials.
Answer: When a piece of wood, cardboard, thin plastic sheet or thin glass sheet is placed between a magnet and a compass needle, the compass needle still deflects. This shows that the magnetic effect passes through such non-magnetic materials. Therefore, direct contact is not always necessary for magnetic action to occur.
9. Write a note on the uses of magnets in daily life mentioned in the chapter.
Answer: Magnets are used in many daily life objects. They are used in pencil boxes and purses to keep them closed. They are used in writing boards and dusters. Magnetic compasses are used for finding directions. Magnets are also used in toys, magnetic stickers and fun activities like moving steel balls in a maze or picking up a steel paper clip from water without touching it.
10. What precautions should be taken while using and storing magnets?
Answer:
- Do not heat magnets.
- Do not hammer or drop magnets.
- Do not keep magnets near mobile phones or remote controls.
- Store magnets properly in pairs.
- Keep unlike poles on the same side.
- Place a piece of wood between the magnets.
- Place two pieces of soft iron across the ends.
These precautions help magnets remain strong and safe for use.
Case-Study Based Questions
Case Study 1: Reshma’s Story
Reshma was writing a story about sailors caught in a storm when stars were not visible. She learnt that sailors used a magnetic compass to find directions.
Q1. Which device helped sailors find directions?
Answer: A magnetic compass.
Q2. On which property of magnets does a compass work?
Answer: A freely suspended magnet comes to rest in the north-south direction.
Q3. Why is this possible?
Answer: It is possible because Earth behaves like a giant magnet.
Case Study 2: Testing Materials
A student brought a magnet near a pencil, an eraser, an iron nail, a glass marble and a plastic scale. Only the iron nail got attracted.
Q1. Which of the given objects is magnetic?
Answer: The iron nail.
Q2. Name two non-magnetic materials from the list.
Answer: Glass and plastic.
Q3. What conclusion can be drawn?
Answer: Only some materials are attracted by magnets, and these are called magnetic materials.
Case Study 3: Iron Filings on a Bar Magnet
A group of students spread iron filings on a paper and placed a bar magnet over it. They noticed that most filings stuck near the ends.
Q1. What does this show?
Answer: It shows that magnetic effect is strongest near the ends of the magnet.
Q2. What are these end regions called?
Answer: They are called poles.
Q3. Why do very few filings stick in the middle?
Answer: Because the magnetic effect is weaker in the middle part.
Case Study 4: Two Magnets on Pencils
Magnet A was placed on pencils and Magnet B was brought near one end of Magnet A. In one case Magnet A moved towards B, and in another case it moved away.
Q1. When did Magnet A move towards B?
Answer: It moved towards B when unlike poles were facing each other.
Q2. When did Magnet A move away?
Answer: It moved away when like poles were facing each other.
Q3. What magnetic property is shown here?
Answer: Attraction and repulsion between magnets.
Case Study 5: Magnet and Compass with a Wooden Sheet
A student placed a wooden sheet between a bar magnet and a magnetic compass. The compass needle still deflected.
Q1. What does the deflection of the needle show?
Answer: It shows that the magnet is affecting the compass needle.
Q2. What conclusion can be drawn from the experiment?
Answer: Magnetic effect can act through non-magnetic materials like wood.
Q3. Name two other materials through which magnetic effect can act.
Answer: Cardboard and plastic.
Assertion-Reason Questions
Choose the correct option:
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation.
C. Assertion is true but Reason is false.
D. Assertion is false but Reason is true.
1. Assertion: Iron is a magnetic material. Reason: Iron is attracted towards a magnet.
Answer: A
2. Assertion: Plastic is a magnetic material. Reason: Plastic gets attracted towards a magnet.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are false.
3. Assertion: Iron filings stick most near the ends of a bar magnet. Reason: The poles are at the ends of the magnet.
Answer: A
4. Assertion: A single pole of a magnet can be obtained by breaking it. Reason: Each broken piece of magnet still has both poles.
Answer: D
5. Assertion: A freely suspended magnet always aligns in the east-west direction. Reason: Earth behaves like a giant magnet.
Answer: Assertion is false but Reason is true.
6. Assertion: The needle of a magnetic compass indicates directions. Reason: The compass needle is itself a magnet.
Answer: A
7. Assertion: Like poles of two magnets attract each other. Reason: North-North and South-South are unlike poles.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are false.
8. Assertion: Repulsion is a sure test of magnetism. Reason: A piece of iron can also show repulsion with a magnet.
Answer: C
9. Assertion: Magnetic effect can act through a wooden sheet. Reason: Wood is a magnetic material.
Answer: C
10. Assertion: Magnets should be stored carefully. Reason: Heating, hammering or dropping can damage magnets.
Answer: A
Competency-Based and Critical Thinking / HOTS Questions
1. Why is attraction not a sure test for magnetism?
Answer: Attraction is not a sure test because a magnet attracts magnetic materials like iron, but iron itself is not a magnet. Only repulsion confirms that the object is a magnet.
2. A metal bar comes to rest in any random direction when suspended freely. What can you conclude?
Answer: We can conclude that the metal bar is not a magnet, because a magnet always comes to rest in the north-south direction.
3. Why should the magnet be moved over the needle in one direction while making a compass?
Answer: Moving the same pole in one direction repeatedly helps align the magnetic effect in the needle and turns it into a magnet.
4. If two identical-looking bars are given and one is a magnet while the other is an iron bar, how can repulsion help identify the magnet?
Answer: Bring one end of the known magnet near both ends of the other bar. If repulsion is observed at one end, that bar must be a magnet. An iron bar will only get attracted.
5. Why does a compass needle deflect when a magnet is brought near it?
Answer: A compass needle is itself a small magnet. So, when another magnet is brought near it, attraction or repulsion causes the needle to deflect.
6. If a magnet loses strength after being dropped many times, what lesson does it teach?
Answer: It teaches that magnets should be handled carefully and should not be dropped, hammered or heated.
7. Why are different shapes of magnets made?
Answer: Different shapes of magnets are made for different uses. For example, ring magnets, bar magnets and U-shaped magnets are suitable for different devices and activities.
8. A student wants to pick up a steel paper clip from water without getting the magnet wet. How can this be done?
Answer: The student can move a magnet outside or below the container near the paper clip. The magnetic effect will act through the material and pull the clip.
9. If the North pole of a bar magnet is brought near the North pole of a compass needle, what will happen and why?
Answer: The compass needle will move away because like poles repel each other.
10. Why is a wooden separator used while storing magnets in pairs?
Answer: The wooden piece helps in proper storage and protection of the magnets. It prevents direct contact and helps magnets retain their strength when stored with soft iron pieces across the ends.
Diagram-Based Questions
Diagram 1: Bar Magnet and Iron Filings
More iron filings near the two ends
Question: Where is the magnetic effect strongest in the above diagram?
Answer: The magnetic effect is strongest near the two ends or poles of the magnet.
Diagram 2: Freely Suspended Magnet
Question: In which direction will the magnet come to rest?
Answer: It will come to rest in the north-south direction.
Diagram 3: Interaction of Poles
N → S
Attraction
N → N
Repulsion
Question: What happens when South pole is brought near North pole?
Answer: They attract each other.
Diagram 4: Compass Needle
Question: Which end of the compass needle usually points north?
Answer: The red end of the compass needle usually points north.
Diagram 5: Magnet with Wooden Sheet in Between
Question: Will the compass needle still show deflection?
Answer: Yes, the compass needle will still show deflection.
Quick Revision Box
- Lodestone is a natural magnet.
- Artificial magnets are man-made magnets.
- Magnets can be bar-shaped, U-shaped or ring-shaped.
- Iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic materials.
- Wood, plastic, glass and cardboard are non-magnetic materials.
- Iron filings stick mostly near the ends of a magnet.
- The two ends of a magnet are called poles.
- A magnet has two poles—North pole and South pole.
- A single pole cannot exist alone.
- A freely suspended magnet rests in the north-south direction.
- Earth behaves like a giant magnet.
- A magnetic compass is used to find directions.
- The compass needle is itself a magnet.
- Unlike poles attract each other.
- Like poles repel each other.
- Repulsion is a sure test of magnetism.
- Magnetic effect can act through wood, cardboard, plastic and glass.
- Magnets can move some objects without touching them.
- Magnets should not be heated, dropped or hammered.
- Magnets should be stored with care using wood and soft iron pieces.
Important Exam Tips
Interactive Quiz
Choose the correct answer and click submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a magnet?
A magnet is an object that attracts certain materials such as iron.
2. What is the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials?
Magnetic materials are attracted towards a magnet, while non-magnetic materials are not attracted.
3. What are the poles of a magnet?
The poles are the two end regions of a magnet where magnetic effect is strongest. They are the North pole and South pole.
4. Can a magnet have only one pole?
No, a magnet always has two poles. A single pole cannot exist independently.
5. Why is a compass useful?
A compass helps us find directions because its magnetic needle always points in the north-south direction.
6. What happens when two like poles are brought together?
They repel each other.
7. What happens when two unlike poles are brought together?
They attract each other.
8. Why is repulsion called a sure test of magnetism?
Because only a magnet can repel another magnet. Magnetic materials like iron only get attracted.
9. Can magnetic effect act through wood or glass?
Yes, magnetic effect can act through non-magnetic materials like wood and glass.
10. How should magnets be stored?
Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles on the same side, a wooden piece in between and soft iron pieces across the ends.
Final Conclusion
The chapter Exploring Magnets helps us understand the important properties and uses of magnets. We learn that magnets attract only certain materials, have two poles, help us find directions, and show attraction as well as repulsion. We also learn that magnets must be handled and stored carefully. With these concepts, students can easily solve school exam questions and build a strong foundation for higher classes.
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