Chapter-Exploring Magnets
1. Introduction to Magnets
• Magnet: An object that can attract certain
materials like iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel
without touching them.
• The property of a magnet to attract such materials
is called magnetism.
• Magnets have been known and used since ancient
times. Natural magnets are found in nature and are
called lodestones.
• Example of lodestone: a naturally magnetized
mineral called magnetite.
Why are magnets important?
• Magnets help us understand invisible forces acting at a distance.
• They are used in many devices around us.
2. What Materials are Attracted by Magnets?
• Magnets attract materials that contain
iron, steel, cobalt, or nickel.
• Some common magnetic materials:
o Iron nails
o Steel needles
o Paper clips made of iron or steel
• Materials like wood, plastic, rubber,
glass, copper, and aluminum are not
attracted by magnets.
Activity:
• Take a magnet and try to pick up different
objects like coins, plastic spoons, paper
clips, rubber bands, and pins.
• Notice which objects get attracted and
which do not.
• Only objects containing iron or steel will
be attracted.
•
3. Types of Magnets
Magnets can be classified into two main types:
a) Natural Magnets:
• These occur naturally in the Earth.
• The best example is lodestone.
• Lodestone is a naturally magnetic rock made of
magnetite.
• Lodestone was the earliest known magnet.
b) Artificial Magnets:
• These are man-made magnets.
• Made by magnetizing materials like iron or
steel.
• Common types of artificial magnets:
o Bar Magnet: A rectangular magnet with poles at each end.
o Horseshoe Magnet: A magnet bent into a U shape to bring the poles closer.
o Cylindrical Magnet: Magnet shaped like a cylinder.
4. Magnetic Poles
• Every magnet has two ends called poles.
• These are the points where the magnetic force is strongest.
• The two poles are:
o North Pole (N)
o South Pole (S)
• The names are given based on the
Earth’s magnetic poles:
o The North Pole of a magnet
points roughly towards the
geographic north.
o The South Pole points
roughly towards the
geographic south.
Important facts about poles:
• Like poles repel each other.
• Unlike poles attract each other.
5. How to Identify Poles of a Magnet
• Suspend a magnet freely using a thread.
• The magnet will align itself in the North-South direction.
• The pole pointing towards the North is called the North
Pole of the magnet.
• The pole pointing towards the South is called the South
Pole of the magnet.
6. Magnetic Force and Magnetic Field
• The force of attraction or repulsion exerted by
a magnet is called magnetic force.
• Magnetic force can act even without the
magnet touching the object.
• The region around a magnet where this force
can be felt is called the magnetic field.
• Magnetic field is invisible but can be
visualized by using magnetic field lines.
Magnetic Field Lines:
• These lines come out from the North Pole and
enter the South Pole.
• The closer the lines, the stronger the magnetic force.
• The lines never cross each other.
7. Magnetism is a Force at a Distance
• Magnets can attract iron and steel objects even if they do not touch them.
• This means magnetic force acts over a distance.
• The strength of this force decreases as the distance between the magnet and the object increases.
8. Uses of Magnets
Magnets have a wide variety of uses in everyday life and technology:
a) Compass:
• A compass contains a small bar magnet called a needle.
• The needle aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field.
• It points towards the Earth's North Pole, helping in navigation and finding directions.
b) Electric Motors and Generators:
• Magnets help convert electrical energy into mechanical energy in motors.
• Generators use magnets to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• This is essential for powering machines, fans, and many devices.
c) Refrigerator Magnets:
• Small magnets are used in refrigerators to keep the door closed firmly.
• They help seal the door and maintain cool air inside.
d) Magnetic Cranes:
• Used in scrapyards to lift heavy iron and steel pieces.
• These cranes have strong electromagnets that can be switched on and off.
e) Headphones and Microphones:
• Magnets inside convert electrical signals into sound and vice versa.
• This technology is used in communication devices.
f) Magnetic Strips:
• Credit cards and ID cards have magnetic strips storing information.
• These strips use magnetic properties to read and write data.
9. How to Make a Magnet
• You can make a magnet by rubbing a steel needle or a small iron rod against a bar magnet repeatedly.
• The rubbing process aligns tiny magnetic regions called magnetic domains inside the metal.
• Once aligned, these domains give the needle magnetic properties.
Steps to make a magnet:
1. Take a clean steel needle.
2. Rub it in one direction with the same pole of a bar magnet (for about 40-50 times).
3. Test the needle by seeing if it attracts small iron objects like pins or paper clips.
4. If attracted, the needle has become a magnet.
10. Effect of Magnet on a Compass
• A compass needle itself is a tiny magnet.
• When brought close to a strong magnet, the
compass needle moves from its original position.
• This shows that magnets can exert force on other
magnets (like the compass needle).
• This effect is used to show the direction and
strength of magnetic force.
11. Magnetism can be Lost
• Magnets can lose their magnetism if:
o They are heated strongly (high temperatures can disturb the alignment of magnetic domains).
o They are hammered or dropped repeatedly (which also disturbs the domains).
o They are kept near other strong magnets with opposite poles.
12. Earth as a Giant Magnet
• The Earth behaves like a giant magnet with magnetic poles near the geographic poles.
• The Earth’s magnetic field causes the compass needle to point north.
• The magnetic field protects Earth from solar winds and cosmic radiation.
13. Summary Table of Key Concepts
Concept Explanation
Magnet Object that attracts iron, cobalt, nickel
Magnetic poles Two ends of a magnet called North and South
Like poles Repel each other
Unlike poles Attract each other
Magnetic force Force exerted by magnet
Magnetic field Region around magnet where force acts
Magnetic materials Iron, steel, cobalt, nickel
Non-magnetic materials Wood, plastic, copper, glass
Uses of magnets Compass, motors, cranes, refrigerators, cards
Making a magnet Rubbing steel with magnet aligns domains
Earth’s magnetism Earth acts like a giant magnet
14. Additional Important Points
• Magnetic force is strongest at the poles of a magnet.
• Magnetic force can act through air or even vacuum, i.e., it does not need to touch the object.
• Magnetic field lines never intersect.
• Magnets attract only specific materials and not all metals.
• Artificial magnets can be made in various shapes depending on their use.
15. Magnetic Domains (Brief Introduction)
• Inside every magnetic material, there are tiny regions called magnetic domains.
• Each domain behaves like a tiny magnet with its own north and south poles.
• In an unmagnetized material, these domains are randomly oriented, so their magnetic effects cancel out.
• When a material becomes magnetized (e.g., by rubbing with a magnet), the domains align in the same
direction, producing a net magnetic effect.
16. Electromagnets (Basic Idea)
• Although not always covered in depth in Class 6, electromagnets are important.
• An electromagnet is a type of magnet where the magnetic field is produced by electric current flowing
through a wire.
• Electromagnets are widely used in devices like cranes, electric bells, and loudspeakers.
• The strength of an electromagnet can be controlled by changing the electric current.
17. Magnetic Materials and Non-Magnetic Materials — Why?
• Magnetic materials have atoms arranged in a way that allows their electrons to spin and create
magnetic fields.
• Non-magnetic materials have electrons arranged so that their magnetic effects cancel out.
• This is why only certain metals like iron, cobalt, nickel, and their alloys are attracted to magnets.
18. Safety Precautions and Handling Magnets
• Magnets should be handled carefully.
• Strong magnets can pinch skin or fingers.
• Magnets should be kept away from electronic devices like computers, credit cards, and pacemakers as
they may cause damage.
• Magnets should not be heated or hammered to avoid losing magnetism.
19. Magnetic Induction (Basic Concept)
• When a magnetic material is brought near a magnet, it can become a magnet itself temporarily.
• This process is called magnetic induction.
• For example, an iron nail becomes magnetic when placed near a strong magnet.
20. Real Life Examples of Magnetism
• Refrigerator magnets holding notes and pictures.
• Magnetic strips on credit/debit cards and ID cards.
• Magnetic compass used by sailors for navigation.
Worksheet: Exploring Magnets
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (15 MCQs)
1. Which of the following materials is attracted by a magnet?
a) Wood
b) Plastic
c) Iron
d) Glass
2. What are the two ends of a magnet called?
a) Positive and Negative Poles
b) East and West Poles
c) North and South Poles
d) Up and Down Poles
3. Which natural magnet is found in nature?
a) Steel magnet
b) Bar magnet
c) Lodestone
d) Electromagnet
4. What will happen if you bring two north poles of two magnets close?
a) They attract
b) They repel
c) No effect
d) They lose magnetism
5. Which device uses a small magnet to show directions?
a) Compass
b) Thermometer
c) Barometer
d) Speedometer
6. How can you make a magnet from a steel needle?
a) Heat it
b) Hammer it
c) Rub it with a magnet
d) Freeze it
7. Magnetic field lines emerge from which pole of a magnet?
a) South Pole
b) North Pole
c) Center of the magnet
d) Both poles equally
8. Which of the following is NOT attracted by a magnet?
a) Iron nail
b) Steel paperclip
c) Aluminum foil
d) Cobalt wire
9. Magnets lose their magnetism if they are:
a) Heated strongly
b) Placed near a refrigerator
c) Kept in cold water
d) Left in sunlight
10. The force exerted by a magnet is called:
a) Gravitational force
b) Magnetic force
c) Electrical force
d) Mechanical force
11. Which type of magnet can be switched on and off?
a) Bar magnet
b) Horseshoe magnet
c) Electromagnet
d) Lodestone
12. What happens to magnetic force when the distance between the magnet and object increases?
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It remains same
d) It becomes zero instantly
13. Which of the following metals is magnetic?
a) Copper
b) Nickel
c) Gold
d) Silver
14. The poles of a freely suspended magnet always point towards:
a) Earth's North and South Pole
b) The nearest metal object
c) The Sun
d) The Moon
15. Magnetic domains are:
a) Large magnets
b) Tiny magnetic regions inside materials
c) Magnetic particles on Earth
d) Magnetic storms
Section B: Fill in the Blanks (10)
1. A magnet attracts only materials made of ________.
2. The end of a magnet that points towards the Earth’s North is called the ________ Pole.
3. Magnetic field lines never ________ each other.
4. The force of attraction or repulsion exerted by a magnet is called ________.
5. A magnet has ________ poles.
6. The natural magnet found in nature is called ________.
7. Like poles of two magnets ________ each other.
8. A compass needle is a small ________.
9. Magnets lose their magnetism when they are ________ strongly.
10. Earth behaves like a giant ________.
Section C: True or False (10)
1. A magnet can attract wood. (True/False)
2. Magnetic poles are the strongest parts of a magnet. (True/False)
3. Magnetic field lines go from the South Pole to the North Pole. (True/False)
4. Copper is a magnetic material. (True/False)
5. Artificial magnets are made by humans. (True/False)
6. A bar magnet has only one pole. (True/False)
7. Magnetic force can act at a distance. (True/False)
8. Hammering a magnet strengthens its magnetism. (True/False)
9. Electromagnets work using electric current. (True/False)
10. Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar winds. (True/False)
Section D: Very Short Answer Questions (15)
1. Define a magnet.
2. What are magnetic poles?
3. Name two types of magnets.
4. What is magnetism?
5. Name one natural magnet.
6. What happens when you bring two unlike poles close?
7. What is a magnetic field?
8. Which materials are attracted by magnets?
9. How can you identify the north pole of a magnet?
10. Why do magnetic field lines never cross?
11. What happens when a magnet is heated strongly?
12. Name one use of a magnet.
13. What is magnetic induction?
14. What does a compass needle do?
15. Why does Earth behave like a magnet?
Section E: Short Answer Questions (10)
1. Explain the term ‘magnetic force’.
2. How do magnetic poles behave when brought close?
3. What is the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials?
4. Describe how to make a magnet using a steel needle.
5. What is the significance of magnetic field lines?
6. Why do compasses help in navigation?
7. What happens to magnetic force when distance increases?
8. What are magnetic domains?
9. Name some common uses of magnets in daily life.
10. How does Earth’s magnetic field help us?
Section F: Long Answer Questions (10)
1. Describe the properties of magnets with examples.
2. Explain how the poles of a magnet are identified.
3. What is the difference between natural and artificial magnets? Give examples.
4. Discuss how magnetic force acts at a distance.
5. Explain the process of making a magnet by rubbing a steel needle.
6. Write about the magnetic field and how magnetic field lines are drawn.
7. Describe the uses of magnets in various devices.
8. What precautions should be taken while handling magnets?
9. Explain why magnets lose magnetism on heating or hammering.
10. Discuss the Earth’s magnetic field and its importance.
Section G: Case-Based Study (5 Cases with Questions)
Case 1:
A boy took a bar magnet and suspended it freely with a thread. He observed that one end always pointed
towards the north direction.
Questions:
a) What is this property of the magnet called?
b) Which pole of the magnet points towards the north?
c) Why does the magnet behave this way?
Case 2:
A girl rubbed a steel needle on a bar magnet many times. She then tried to pick up small pins with the needle
and found it attracted the pins.
Questions:
a) How did the steel needle become a magnet?
b) What is the process called?
c) What would happen if she heated the needle strongly?
Case 3:
A teacher brought a magnet near a compass needle and noticed the needle moved away from pointing north.
Questions:
a) Why did the compass needle move?
b) What does this show about magnets?
c) How do compasses help us in real life?
Case 4:
A crane in a scrapyard uses a magnet to lift heavy iron scraps.
Questions:
a) What kind of magnet is used in the crane?
b) Why is this magnet preferred?
c) How does this magnet work?
Case 5:
An iron nail placed near a magnet becomes magnetic temporarily.
Questions:
a) What is this phenomenon called?
b) Explain why the nail becomes magnetic.
c) Will the nail remain magnetic forever?
Detailed Answers
Solutions for Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the following materials is attracted by a magnet?
Answer: c) Iron
Explanation: Iron is a magnetic material and is attracted by magnets. Wood, plastic, and glass
are non-magnetic materials.
2. What are the two ends of a magnet called?
Answer: c) North and South Poles
Explanation: Every magnet has two ends called poles — North Pole and South Pole — where the
magnetic force is strongest.
3. Which natural magnet is found in nature?
Answer: c) Lodestone
Explanation: Lodestone is a naturally occurring magnetic mineral that behaves like a magnet.
4. What will happen if you bring two north poles of two magnets close?
Answer: b) They repel
Explanation: Like poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other.
5. Which device uses a small magnet to show directions?
Answer: a) Compass
Explanation: A compass needle is a small magnet that aligns with Earth’s magnetic field to show
direction.
6. How can you make a magnet from a steel needle?
Answer: c) Rub it with a magnet
Explanation: Rubbing a steel needle with a magnet aligns its magnetic domains, magnetizing it.
7. Magnetic field lines emerge from which pole of a magnet?
Answer: b) North Pole
Explanation: Magnetic field lines start from the North Pole and end at the South Pole.
8. Which of the following is NOT attracted by a magnet?
Answer: c) Aluminum foil
Explanation: Aluminum is non-magnetic and is not attracted by magnets.
9. Magnets lose their magnetism if they are:
Answer: a) Heated strongly
Explanation: Heating disturbs the alignment of magnetic domains causing magnets to lose their
magnetism.
10. The force exerted by a magnet is called:
Answer: b) Magnetic force
Explanation: Magnetic force is the force of attraction or repulsion exerted by magnets.
11. Which type of magnet can be switched on and off?
Answer: c) Electromagnet
Explanation: Electromagnets produce magnetic fields only when electric current flows.
12. What happens to magnetic force when the distance between the magnet and object
increases?
Answer: b) It decreases
Explanation: Magnetic force becomes weaker as the distance between the magnet and object
increases.
13. Which of the following metals is magnetic?
Answer: b) Nickel
Explanation: Nickel is a magnetic metal, along with iron and cobalt.
14. The poles of a freely suspended magnet always point towards:
Answer: a) Earth's North and South Pole
Explanation: Due to Earth’s magnetic field, a freely suspended magnet aligns along the North-
South direction.
15. Magnetic domains are:
Answer: b) Tiny magnetic regions inside materials
Explanation: Magnetic domains are small regions within magnetic materials where the magnetic
moments are aligned.
Solutions for Section B: Fill in the Blanks (10)
1. A magnet attracts only materials made of _________.
Answer: iron (or magnetic materials like iron, cobalt, nickel)
Explanation: Magnets attract materials that have magnetic properties, mainly iron and some
other metals.
2. The end of a magnet that points towards the Earth’s North is called the ________ Pole.
Answer: North
Explanation: The pole of the magnet that points towards the Earth’s geographic North Pole is
called the North Pole of the magnet.
3. Magnetic field lines never ________ each other.
Answer: cross
Explanation: Magnetic field lines never cross because at any point, the magnetic field has a
unique direction.
4. The force of attraction or repulsion exerted by a magnet is called ________.
Answer: magnetic force
Explanation: The magnetic force is the force with which magnets attract or repel each other or
magnetic materials.
5. A magnet has ________ poles.
Answer: two
Explanation: Every magnet has two poles: North and South.
6. The natural magnet found in nature is called ________.
Answer: lodestone
Explanation: Lodestone is a naturally occurring magnetic mineral.
7. Like poles of two magnets ________ each other.
Answer: repel
Explanation: Like poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other.
8. A compass needle is a small ________.
Answer: magnet
Explanation: A compass needle is a tiny magnet that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field.
9. Magnets lose their magnetism when they are ________ strongly.
Answer: heated
Explanation: Strong heating disturbs the alignment of magnetic domains, causing loss of
magnetism.
10. Earth behaves like a giant ________.
Answer: magnet
Explanation: Earth has its own magnetic field, so it acts like a huge magnet with magnetic poles.
Solutions for Section C: True or False (10)
1. A magnet can attract wood.
Answer: False
Explanation: Wood is a non-magnetic material and is not attracted by magnets.
2. Magnetic poles are the strongest parts of a magnet.
Answer: True
Explanation: The magnetic force is strongest at the poles of a magnet.
3. Magnetic field lines go from the South Pole to the North Pole.
Answer: False
Explanation: Magnetic field lines go from the North Pole to the South Pole outside the magnet.
4. Copper is a magnetic material.
Answer: False
Explanation: Copper is a non-magnetic metal and is not attracted by magnets.
5. Artificial magnets are made by humans.
Answer: True
Explanation: Artificial magnets, like bar magnets and horseshoe magnets, are made by humans.
6. A bar magnet has only one pole.
Answer: False
Explanation: A bar magnet has two poles, a North and a South Pole.
7. Magnetic force can act at a distance.
Answer: True
Explanation: Magnetic force acts without physical contact, over a distance.
8. Hammering a magnet strengthens its magnetism.
Answer: False
Explanation: Hammering a magnet breaks the alignment of magnetic domains and weakens
magnetism.
9. Electromagnets work using electric current.
Answer: True
Explanation: Electromagnets produce magnetic fields only when electric current flows through
them.
10. Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar winds.
Answer: True
Explanation: Earth’s magnetic field shields us from harmful solar winds and cosmic radiation.
Solutions for Section D: Very Short Answer Questions (15)
1. Define a magnet.
Answer: A magnet is an object that attracts certain metals like iron and produces a magnetic field
around it.
2. What are magnetic poles?
Answer: Magnetic poles are the two ends of a magnet where the magnetic force is strongest. They
are called the North Pole and South Pole.
3. Name two types of magnets.
Answer: Natural magnets (like lodestone) and artificial magnets (like bar magnet and horseshoe
magnet).
4. What is magnetism?
Answer: Magnetism is the property of a magnet to attract magnetic materials and exert force
without contact.
5. Name one natural magnet.
Answer: Lodestone.
6. What happens when you bring two unlike poles close?
Answer: They attract each other.
7. What is a magnetic field?
Answer: A magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic forces can be felt.
8. Which materials are attracted by magnets?
Answer: Materials made of iron, cobalt, and nickel.
9. How can you identify the north pole of a magnet?
Answer: The north pole is the end of a magnet that points towards the Earth’s North Pole when
suspended freely.
10. Why do magnetic field lines never cross?
Answer: Because at any point, the magnetic field has only one direction.
11. What happens when a magnet is heated strongly?
Answer: It loses its magnetism.
12. Name one use of a magnet.
Answer: Magnets are used in compasses for navigation.
13. What is magnetic induction?
Answer: Magnetic induction is the process of making a material magnetic by placing it near a
magnet.
14. What does a compass needle do?
Answer: It aligns itself along Earth’s magnetic field to show direction.
15. Why does Earth behave like a magnet?
Answer: Because it has a magnetic core that creates a magnetic field around the planet.
Solutions for Section E: Short Answer Questions (10)
1. Explain how a magnet can be used to separate iron from a mixture of sand and iron filings.
Answer: When a magnet is brought near the mixture, the iron filings get attracted to the magnet
and stick to it, while sand remains unaffected. This way, iron can be separated easily from sand.
2. What happens when you break a magnet into two pieces?
Answer: Each piece becomes a smaller magnet with its own North and South poles. You cannot
get a magnet with only one pole.
3. How do magnetic field lines show the strength of a magnetic field?
Answer: The closer the magnetic field lines are to each other, the stronger the magnetic field in
that region.
4. Describe how to magnetize a steel needle using a bar magnet.
Answer: Rub the steel needle repeatedly in one direction with one pole of a bar magnet. This
aligns the magnetic domains inside the needle, turning it into a magnet.
5. Why does Earth have magnetic poles?
Answer: Earth has magnetic poles because of the molten iron in its outer core, which creates a
magnetic field like a giant magnet.
6. What is an electromagnet?
Answer: An electromagnet is a magnet created by passing an electric current through a coil of
wire, which produces a magnetic field.
7. What are the properties of magnetic poles?
Answer: Magnetic poles always exist in pairs (North and South), like poles repel each other,
unlike poles attract, and magnetic force is strongest at the poles.
8. Explain why compasses point towards the North.
Answer: The compass needle is a small magnet that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field,
causing the North Pole of the needle to point towards Earth's geographic North Pole.
9. What happens to magnetic domains in a magnet when it loses its magnetism?
Answer: The magnetic domains become randomly aligned instead of being uniformly aligned,
causing the magnet to lose its magnetic properties.
10. How can you demagnetize a magnet?
Answer: A magnet can be demagnetized by heating it strongly, hammering it, or dropping it
repeatedly, which disrupts the alignment of magnetic domains.
Solutions for Section F: Long Answer Questions (10)
1. Explain what a magnet is and describe the different types of magnets.
Answer:
A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field and attracts magnetic materials like iron,
cobalt, and nickel. There are two main types of magnets:
o Natural Magnets: These occur naturally in nature, such as lodestone. They have magnetic
properties without human intervention.
o Artificial Magnets: These are made by humans, for example, bar magnets, horseshoe
magnets, and electromagnets. Artificial magnets can be further divided into permanent
magnets, which retain their magnetism, and temporary magnets, which lose magnetism
easily.
2. Describe the properties of magnetic poles and explain how they interact with each other.
Answer:
Every magnet has two poles: North Pole and South Pole. Properties of magnetic poles include:
o Like poles repel each other (North repels North, South repels South).
o Unlike poles attract each other (North attracts South).
o Magnetic poles always come in pairs; you cannot have a magnet with only one pole.
When two magnets are brought close, the forces of attraction or repulsion depend on
which poles face each other.
3. What is a magnetic field? Explain with the help of magnetic field lines.
Answer:
A magnetic field is the area around a magnet where magnetic forces can be observed. Magnetic
field lines are imaginary lines that represent the magnetic field. They emerge from the North Pole
and enter the South Pole of a magnet. The lines never cross, and the closer the lines, the stronger
the magnetic field. Field lines help us visualize the direction and strength of magnetism around a
magnet.
4. How can a steel needle be magnetized? Describe the method and the science behind it.
Answer:
A steel needle can be magnetized by rubbing it with a magnet. When the needle is rubbed
repeatedly in one direction with a magnet, the magnetic domains inside the needle align in the
same direction. This alignment turns the needle into a magnet itself. This process is called
magnetic induction. The needle then behaves like a magnet and can attract small magnetic
materials.
5. Explain the difference between temporary and permanent magnets with examples.
Answer:
o Permanent magnets retain their magnetism for a long time without the need for an
external magnetic field. Example: bar magnets and horseshoe magnets.
o Temporary magnets behave like magnets only when they are in the presence of a
magnetic field or current, and they lose their magnetism once the external force is
removed. Example: iron nails can become temporary magnets when touched by a magnet.
6. Describe how electromagnets work and mention their uses.
Answer:
Electromagnets are made by passing an electric current through a coil of wire wrapped around a
soft iron core. The electric current creates a magnetic field, magnetizing the iron core and turning
it into a magnet. The magnetic field exists only when the current flows. Electromagnets are used
in electric bells, cranes to lift heavy metallic objects, MRI machines, and electric motors.
7. How do magnets lose their magnetism? Explain with reasons.
Answer:
Magnets lose their magnetism when the alignment of magnetic domains inside them is disturbed.
This can happen due to:
o Heating the magnet strongly, which causes thermal agitation disrupting domain alignment.
o Hammering or dropping the magnet, which physically displaces domains.
o Storing magnets improperly near other magnets or in fluctuating magnetic fields.
8. Explain why Earth is called a giant magnet.
Answer:
Earth is called a giant magnet because it has a magnetic field created by the movement of molten
iron in its outer core. This magnetic field has poles near the geographic North and South Poles and
affects compasses and magnetic materials on Earth. Earth’s magnetic field protects living
organisms by deflecting harmful solar winds.
9. What is magnetic induction? Explain with an example.
Answer:
Magnetic induction is the process by which a magnetic material becomes a magnet when placed
near a magnet. For example, if a piece of iron is placed close to a magnet, the magnetic domains
inside the iron align temporarily, turning it into a magnet. This induced magnetism disappears
when the iron is moved away from the magnet, making it a temporary magnet.
10. Discuss the importance of magnets in daily life with examples.
Answer:
Magnets are important in many devices and applications:
o Compasses use magnets for navigation.
o Electric motors and generators work using magnets.
o Magnetic locks and sensors use magnetism for security.
o Hard drives and credit cards store data magnetically.
o Magnets help separate metals from waste or mixtures.
Their ability to attract metals and produce magnetic fields makes them useful in
industries, medicine, transportation, and household devices.
Solutions for Section G: Case-Based Study Questions (5)
Case Study 1:
Ravi had a bar magnet and a pile of iron filings. He sprinkled the iron filings around the magnet and
observed a pattern.
Q1: What pattern do you think Ravi saw when iron filings were sprinkled around the magnet?
Answer: Ravi saw a pattern of curved lines around the magnet, called magnetic field lines. These lines emerge
from the North Pole and curve around to enter the South Pole.
Q2: Why do the iron filings form this pattern?
Answer: Iron filings align along the magnetic field because each tiny filing becomes a tiny magnet itself and
aligns with the magnetic force lines.
Q3: What can you say about the strength of the magnetic field near the poles compared to the middle of the
magnet?
Answer: The magnetic field is stronger near the poles, so the iron filings are denser there.
Case Study 2:
Meera made a compass using a steel needle rubbed with a magnet. She suspended it on a thread and
noticed it pointed north-south.
Q1: Why does the compass needle point towards the north-south direction?
Answer: The needle is magnetized and aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, so it points towards the magnetic
North and South Poles.
Q2: How does rubbing the needle with a magnet help in making a compass?
Answer: Rubbing aligns the magnetic domains inside the needle, turning it into a magnet that can respond to
Earth's magnetic field.
Q3: What would happen if the needle was not magnetized?
Answer: If not magnetized, the needle would not align itself and would move randomly.
Case Study 3:
Ajay heated a bar magnet strongly and then tested its magnetism.
Q1: What effect does heating have on the magnetism of the bar magnet?
Answer: Heating disrupts the alignment of magnetic domains inside the magnet, causing it to lose its
magnetism.
Q2: Why does this happen at the atomic level?
Answer: Heat causes atoms to vibrate, disturbing the uniform alignment of magnetic domains needed for
magnetism.
Q3: Can the magnet be re-magnetized after cooling? How?
Answer: Yes, by rubbing it again with a magnet or placing it in a magnetic field to realign the domains.
Case Study 4:
A student tried to lift iron nails using different types of magnets: bar magnet, horseshoe magnet, and
electromagnet.
Q1: Which magnet will lift the nails with the strongest force and why?
Answer: The electromagnet can lift the nails with the strongest force because its magnetic field can be made
very strong by increasing electric current.
Q2: What advantage does an electromagnet have over permanent magnets?
Answer: It can be switched on and off, and the strength can be controlled by the electric current.
Q3: Why are electromagnets useful in scrapyards?
Answer: Because they can lift heavy metal objects easily and can be turned off to release the load.
Case Study 5:
Sonal noticed that when she brought two magnets close, sometimes they stuck together, and sometimes
they pushed away.
Q1: Why do magnets sometimes attract and sometimes repel each other?
Answer: Because unlike poles attract and like poles repel.
Q2: If the North Pole of one magnet is near the South Pole of another, what happens?
Answer: They attract each other.
Q3: What happens if the North Pole of one magnet is near the North Pole of another?
Answer: They repel each other.