Detailed Study Notes – Chapter 4: Exploring Magnets

Grade: 6 | Subject: Science | Book: NCERT Curiosity Textbook

Study Notes

1. Introduction to Magnets

• Magnets are objects that can attract certain materials like iron, nickel, and
cobalt.

• They are used in many everyday items — pencil boxes, purses, toys, and doors.

• Ancient sailors used lodestones (natural magnets) and later magnetic

compasses to find directions.

2. Types of Magnets

• Natural Magnets: Found in nature (e.g., lodestones).

• Artificial Magnets: Man-made magnets of different shapes:

o Bar magnets

o U-shaped magnets

o Ring magnets

o Disc magnets

o Cylindrical magnets

3. Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Materials

• Magnetic Materials → Attracted by magnets

Examples: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.

• Non-Magnetic Materials → Not attracted by magnets

Examples: Plastic, Wood, Glass, Rubber.

Activity Insight:
By bringing a magnet near various objects, we find which ones stick to the magnet and
classify them accordingly.

4. Poles of a Magnet
 • Every magnet has two poles:

o North Pole (N)

o South Pole (S)

• Iron filings stick more near the ends of a magnet than the middle → poles are
stronger.

• Key Rule:

o Magnets always have two poles.

o If you break a magnet, both pieces will still have N and S poles.

o A single pole cannot exist.

5. Finding Directions Using Magnets

• A freely suspended bar magnet always rests along the north-south direction.

• The end pointing north → North-seeking pole (N).

• The end pointing south → South-seeking pole (S).

• Magnetic Compass:

o A small device with a freely rotating magnetized needle.

o Needle always points north-south and helps in navigation.

6. Making a Simple Magnetic Compass

Steps:

1. Rub a sewing needle repeatedly with one pole of a magnet.

2. Pass the needle through a cork.

3. Float the cork in water.

4. The needle aligns itself north-south, acting like a compass.

7. Attraction and Repulsion Between Magnets

• When two magnets are brought close:

o Like poles (N-N or S-S) → Repel each other.

 o Unlike poles (N-S) → Attract each other.

• Property of Repulsion:

o Only magnets repel each other.

o Magnetic materials like iron are always attracted, so repulsion helps

identify magnets.

8. Magnets and Non-Magnetic Barriers

• Magnetic force can act through non-magnetic materials like wood, cardboard,
plastic, or glass.

• If we place such a barrier between a magnet and an object, the attraction still
happens.

9. Uses of Magnets

• Used in magnetic compasses for navigation.

• Found in toys, pencil boxes, purses, door locks, speakers, motors, and
electronic devices.

• Used in medicine (e.g., MRI machines).

• Used in transport like Maglev trains.

10. Safety & Care of Magnets

• Do not drop, hammer, or heat magnets.

• Store magnets in pairs with unlike poles together, separated by a wooden

piece, and place soft iron strips across the poles.

Inside Questions & Answers

Q1. What are magnetic materials? Give two examples.

Answer:
Materials that get attracted to a magnet are called magnetic materials.
Examples: Iron, Nickel.
Q2. Can a magnet have only one pole?

Answer:
No. A magnet always has both North and South poles. Even if broken, each piece
becomes a magnet with two poles.

Q3. Why does a freely suspended bar magnet rest in the north-south direction?

Answer:
Because Earth behaves like a giant magnet. The magnet aligns itself with the Earth’s
magnetic field.

Q4. What happens when like poles are brought together?

Answer:
Like poles (N-N or S-S) repel each other.

Q5. Why does a compass needle always point north-south?

Answer:
The needle of a compass is a tiny magnet. It aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field and
points north-south.

Q6. Name two materials through which the magnetic effect can pass.

Answer:
Plastic and Glass.

Q7. How can you make your own magnetic compass?

Answer:
By magnetizing a sewing needle using a bar magnet, passing it through a cork, and
floating it in water.

Q8. How can we identify which bar is a magnet when given three identical metal
bars?

Answer:
By using the repulsion property:
 • Bring one bar near another.

• If they repel, both are magnets.

• If they only attract, one is a magnet and the other is simple iron.

Chapter Exercise Solutions

Q1. Fill in the blanks

(i) Unlike poles of two magnets attract each other, whereas like poles repel each other.
(ii) The materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials.
(iii) The needle of a magnetic compass rests along the north-south direction.
(iv) A magnet always has two poles.

Q2. True or False

Statement Answer

A magnet can be broken into pieces to obtain a single pole. False

Similar poles of a magnet repel each other. True

Iron filings mostly stick in the middle of a bar magnet. False

A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns with the north-south direction. True

Q3. Column Matching

Column I Column II

N–N Repulsion

N–S Attraction

S–N Attraction

S–S Repulsion

Q4. Atharv’s Experiment

Correct observation: Option (i)

Reason:
Iron filings are concentrated more at the poles (Position A and C) than in the middle
(Position B).

Q5. Identify Magnets Among Three Metal Bars

Bring the bars close to one another:

• If two bars repel, they are magnets.

• The one always attracted but never repelling is iron.

Q6. Finding Magnet Poles Without Markings

• Use another magnet with known poles.

• Bring its North pole close to one end of the unmarked magnet.

o If they repel, that end is also North.

o If they attract, it’s the South pole.

Q7. Finding Poles Without Another Magnet

• Suspend the unmarked magnet freely using a string.

• The end pointing north is the North pole.

Q8. Earth as a Magnet

• The north-seeking pole of a magnet points toward Earth’s geographical north.

• Hence, Earth’s magnetic south lies near the geographical north.

Q9. Problem with Screws Falling

• Solution: Magnetize the screwdriver using a bar magnet so that screws stick to
it.

Q10. Ring Magnets X and Y

• Magnet X does not move down because the like poles of X and Y are facing each
other, causing repulsion.
 • To bring X in contact with Y, invert one magnet so that opposite poles face
each other.

Q11. Finding Polarity in Fig. 4.17

Using the rule of N-S-N-S pattern, the correct polarity is:

• End 1 → S

• End 2 → N

• End 3 → S

• End 4 → N

• End 6 → S

Summary

• Magnets attract iron, nickel, and cobalt.

• Always have two poles: North & South.

• Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.

• Magnets are used in compasses, machines, toys, medicine, and transport.

• Handle magnets carefully and store them properly.