EXERCISE NOTES
Chapter 4
Exploring Magnets
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
1. A freely suspended bar magnet always comes to rest along which direction?
a) East–West
b) North–South
c) Northeast–Southwest
d) Any random direction
Answer: b) North–South
2. Which of the following is a magnetic material?
a) Plastic
b) Glass
c) Iron
d) Wood
Answer: c) Iron
3. When the North pole of one magnet is brought near the North pole of another
magnet, what happens?
a) They attract
b) They repel
c) Nothing happens
d) They stick together
Answer: b) They repel
4. Where does the maximum attraction occur in a bar magnet?
a) At the middle
b) Uniformly throughout
c) At the poles (ends)
d) At one-quarter from the end
Answer: c) At the poles (ends)
5. Which property is used to distinguish a magnet from a plain iron bar?
a) Attraction only
b) Repulsion only
c) Shape
d) Colour
Answer: b) Repulsion only
Section B: Let Us Enhance Our Learning
Answer the following questions. (30–40 words each)
Question 1 — Fill in the Blanks
(i) Unlike poles of two magnets ...........each other, Whereas like poles............ each other.
(ii) The materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called ........
(iii) The needle of a magnetic compass rests along the ............. Direction.
(iv) A magnet always has........ poles
Answers:
(i) Unlike poles of two magnets attract each other, whereas like poles repel each other. (ii)
Magnetic materials. (iii) The needle of a magnetic compass rests along the North–South
direction. (iv) A magnet always has two poles.
Question 2 — True (T) or False (F)
(i) A magnet can be broken to obtain a single pole. (ii) Similar poles repel. (iii) Iron filings stick
mostly in the middle. (iv) A freely suspended magnet aligns North–South.
Answers:
(i) False — breaking a magnet always gives two new magnets, each with both poles. (ii) True.
(iii) False — iron filings mostly stick at the poles (ends) of a bar magnet. (iv) True.
Question 3 — Column Matching
Fill in Column II for the given pole combinations in Column I.
Answer:
Column I (Poles) Column II
(Interaction)
N–N Repulsion
N–S Attraction
S–N Attraction
S–S Repulsion
Question 4
Atharv rolled a bar magnet over steel U-clips. According to Table 4.3, which option (i–iv) is the
likely observation for positions A, B, C?
Answer:
Option (i) — Position A: 10, Position B: 2, Position C: 10. A bar magnet attracts most at its two
poles (ends, A and C). The middle (B) attracts the fewest clips since magnetic force is weakest
there.
Question 5
Reshma has three identical metal bars — two magnets and one iron bar. How can she identify
the two magnets without using any other material?
Answer:
She can test pairs using repulsion. Bring one end of bar A near each end of bar B. A magnet
repels only when like poles face each other. An iron bar is always attracted, never repelled. The
two that repel each other are the magnets.
Question 6
You are given an unmarked magnet. How can you find its poles using another magnet that has
its poles marked?
Answer:
Bring the North pole of the known magnet near each end of the unmarked magnet. The end that
repels the North pole is the North pole of the unknown magnet. The end that attracts it is the
South pole.
Question 7
A bar magnet has no markings to indicate its poles. How would you find its North pole without
using another magnet?
Answer:
Suspend the bar magnet freely with a thread tied at its middle. Allow it to come to rest. The end
that points towards the geographical North is the North pole of the magnet. This works because
Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet.
Question 8
If the Earth is itself a magnet, can you guess the poles of Earth's magnet by looking at the
direction of the magnetic compass?
Answer:
Yes. The North pole of the compass needle points towards geographical North. Since unlike
poles attract, the geographic North of Earth must have Earth's magnetic South pole nearby.
Earth's magnetic North pole is near its geographic South Pole.
Question 9
A mechanic's steel screws kept falling while repairing a gadget. Suggest a way to solve this
using what you learnt about magnets.
Answer:
The mechanic can magnetise the screwdriver by stroking it with a magnet several times in one
direction. The magnetised screwdriver will then attract and hold the steel screws, preventing
them from falling during repair work.
Question 10
Two ring magnets X and Y are stacked on a rod. Magnet X does not move down. What is the
reason? Suggest a way to bring X and Y in contact without pushing either.
Answer:
Magnet X floats because like poles of X and Y face each other, causing repulsion that balances
gravity. To bring them in contact, flip magnet X so unlike poles face each other — they will then
attract and come together easily.
Question 11
Three bar magnets are arranged as in Fig. 4.17. The polarity of end 5 is N. What are the
polarities at ends 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6?
Answer:
Since end 5 = N, for the horizontal magnet: end 6 = S. For the vertical magnet touching end 5
(N), the joined end must be S — so end 4 = S, end 3 = N. For the top horizontal magnet: end 2
= S, end 1 = N.
Key Concepts at a Glance
Term Meaning
Magnetic material Material attracted by a magnet; e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt.
Non-magnetic material Material not attracted by a magnet; e.g., wood, plastic, glass.
Poles of a magnet Two ends of a magnet — North pole and South pole — where
attraction is strongest.
North pole End of freely suspended magnet that points towards
geographical North.
South pole End of freely suspended magnet that points towards
geographical South.
Attraction Unlike poles (N–S) of two magnets attract each other.
Repulsion Like poles (N–N or S–S) of two magnets repel each other.
Magnetic compass Device using a magnetised needle to find North–South direction.
Lodestone Naturally occurring magnet; used by sailors in ancient times.
Artificial magnet Magnet made by humans from iron or other materials.
Magnetic effect Can act through non-magnetic materials like wood, plastic,
glass.
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6 — Chapter 4 Exercise Notes