Fun with Magnets Class 6 Questions and Answers

🧲 Fun with Magnets Class 6 Questions and Answers

NCERT Chapter 13 with Detailed Solutions

Master Fun with Magnets for Class 6 Science with comprehensive questions and answers covering magnetic and non-magnetic materials, poles, finding directions, magnetisation, and attraction-repulsion. Each answer is explained in simple, student-friendly language for CBSE exams.

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Fun with Magnets — Questions & Answers

NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 13

📘 Quick Reference: Fun with Magnets

Magnet: An object that attracts materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt. It also attracts or repels other magnets.
Discovery of Magnets: A shepherd named Magnes found his iron-tipped stick stuck to a rock called magnetite (a natural magnet) in ancient Greece.
Magnetic Materials: Materials that get attracted to a magnet. Examples: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.
Non-Magnetic Materials: Materials that do not get attracted to a magnet. Examples: Wood, Plastic, Glass, Rubber.
Poles of a Magnet: The ends of a magnet where the magnetic force is strongest. Every magnet has two poles:
- North Pole (N): The end that points towards the Earth's north when freely suspended.
- South Pole (S): The end that points towards the Earth's south when freely suspended.
Magnetic Field: The area around a magnet where its magnetic force can be felt. It is strongest at the poles.
Finding Directions: A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the North-South direction. This property is used in a compass.
Magnetic Compass: A device with a magnetised needle that freely rotates to show the North-South direction. Used by sailors and travellers.
Attraction and Repulsion:
- Like poles repel each other (N-N or S-S).
- Unlike poles attract each other (N-S).
Magnetisation: The process of making an iron object into a magnet by stroking it with a magnet in one direction.
Demagnetisation: Magnets lose their magnetism if they are heated, hammered, or dropped from a height.
Storage of Magnets: Bar magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles on the same side, separated by a piece of wood. Keepers (soft iron pieces) are used across the poles of a horseshoe magnet.

Key Points Summary Table:

Concept	Key Point
Magnetic Materials	Iron, Nickel, Cobalt
Poles	North and South (strongest at ends)
Like Poles	Repel each other
Unlike Poles	Attract each other
Free Suspended Magnet	Always rests in North-South direction
Demagnetisation	Heating, Hammering, Dropping

💡 Study Tip

When studying this chapter, try simple experiments at home. Take a bar magnet and test different objects around you (like a coin, a rubber band, a pencil, a plastic scale) to see which ones stick to the magnet. You will discover that only objects made of iron, nickel, and cobalt are attracted. Also, try suspending a magnet with a thread to see how it always points North-South!

Question 1

What is a magnet?

✅ Answer:

A magnet is an object that attracts materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt and can attract or repel other magnets.

Question 2

Who discovered the first natural magnet?

✅ Answer:

A shepherd named Magnes discovered the first natural magnet in ancient Greece.

Question 3

What is the name of the natural magnet found by Magnes?

✅ Answer:

The natural magnet is called magnetite (also known as lodestone).

Question 4

Name two magnetic materials.

✅ Answer:

Iron and nickel are two magnetic materials.

Question 5

Name two non-magnetic materials.

✅ Answer:

Wood and plastic are two non-magnetic materials.

Question 6

How many poles does a magnet have?

✅ Answer:

A magnet has two poles — a North pole and a South pole.

Question 7

Where is the magnetic force strongest on a magnet?

✅ Answer:

The magnetic force is strongest at the poles (the two ends) of a magnet.

Question 8

What happens when like poles of two magnets are brought together?

✅ Answer:

Like poles repel each other (push away).

Question 9

What happens when unlike poles of two magnets are brought together?

✅ Answer:

Unlike poles attract each other (pull towards each other).

Question 10

In which direction does a freely suspended magnet always rest?

✅ Answer:

A freely suspended magnet always rests in the North-South direction.

Question 11

What is a compass?

✅ Answer:

A compass is a device with a magnetised needle that freely rotates to show the North-South direction.

Question 12

What is magnetisation?

✅ Answer:

Magnetisation is the process of making an iron object into a magnet by stroking it with a magnet.

Question 13

What is demagnetisation?

✅ Answer:

Demagnetisation is the loss of magnetic properties of a magnet, which can happen due to heating, hammering, or dropping.

Question 14

Can a magnet attract a plastic ruler?

✅ Answer:

No, a magnet cannot attract a plastic ruler because plastic is a non-magnetic material.

Question 15

What happens if a magnet is dropped from a height?

✅ Answer:

Dropping a magnet can weaken its magnetism or cause it to lose its magnetic properties.

Question 16

Name one device that uses a magnet to find direction.

✅ Answer:

A magnetic compass uses a magnet to find direction.

Question 17

Is iron a magnetic or non-magnetic material?

✅ Answer:

Iron is a magnetic material.

Question 18

Is rubber a magnetic or non-magnetic material?

✅ Answer:

Rubber is a non-magnetic material.

Question 19

What is the magnetic field?

✅ Answer:

The magnetic field is the area around a magnet where its magnetic force can be felt.

Question 20

What are the ends of a magnet called?

✅ Answer:

The ends of a magnet are called its poles (North pole and South pole).

Question 21

Can a magnet have only one pole?

✅ Answer:

No, a magnet always has two poles. If you break a magnet, each piece will have its own North and South pole.

Question 22

What are magnetic materials? Give two examples.

✅ Answer:

Materials that get attracted to a magnet are called magnetic materials. Examples: Iron, Nickel.

Question 23

What are non-magnetic materials? Give two examples.

✅ Answer:

Materials that do not get attracted to a magnet are called non-magnetic materials. Examples: Wood, Plastic.

Question 24

Why is a magnet kept away from a mobile phone?

✅ Answer:

A magnet is kept away from a mobile phone because it can damage the electronic components inside.

Question 25

Name one use of magnets in daily life.

✅ Answer:

Magnets are used in refrigerator doors to keep them closed.

Question 26

What is a magnetic compass used for?

✅ Answer:

A magnetic compass is used to find directions (North, South, East, West).

Question 27

What happens when a bar magnet is broken into two pieces?

✅ Answer:

Each broken piece becomes a complete magnet with its own North and South poles.

Question 28

Name one way to make a magnet lose its magnetism.

✅ Answer:

Heating a magnet can make it lose its magnetism.

Question 29

Is cobalt a magnetic material?

✅ Answer:

Yes, cobalt is a magnetic material.

Question 30

What is the other name for a natural magnet?

✅ Answer:

A natural magnet is also called a lodestone.

Question 1

What are magnetic and non-magnetic materials? Give two examples of each.

✅ Answer:

Magnetic materials are those that get attracted to a magnet. Examples: Iron, Nickel.

Non-magnetic materials are those that do not get attracted to a magnet. Examples: Wood, Plastic.

Question 2

What is the difference between the North pole and the South pole of a magnet?

✅ Answer:

The North pole of a freely suspended magnet points towards the Earth's geographical North. The South pole points towards the Earth's geographical South. Also, like poles repel and unlike poles attract.

Question 3

How can you show that a magnet has two poles?

✅ Answer:

Sprinkle some iron filings on a sheet of paper and roll a bar magnet in them. You will see that most of the iron filings stick to the two ends (poles) of the magnet, and very few stick to the middle. This shows that a magnet has two poles where the magnetic force is strongest.

Question 4

Why does a freely suspended magnet always point in the North-South direction?

✅ Answer:

The Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet with its magnetic poles near the geographical poles. A freely suspended magnet aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, with its North pole pointing towards the Earth's magnetic South (near the geographical North) and vice versa.

Question 5

What is a magnetic compass? How is it used?

✅ Answer:

A magnetic compass is a device with a magnetised needle that freely rotates. When it comes to rest, the needle always points in the North-South direction. It is used to find directions while travelling, sailing, or hiking.

Question 6

How can you make your own magnet using an iron strip and a bar magnet?

✅ Answer:

Place the iron strip on a table. Take a bar magnet and stroke it along the iron strip from one end to the other, always in the same direction. Do not lift the magnet while stroking. Repeat this 30-40 times. The iron strip will become a magnet.

Question 7

Why do magnets lose their magnetism? How can we prevent this?

✅ Answer:

Magnets lose their magnetism if they are heated, hammered, or dropped from a height. To prevent this, magnets should be stored properly: bar magnets in pairs with unlike poles on the same side and a wooden piece between them, and horseshoe magnets with a soft iron keeper across the poles.

Question 8

What happens when you bring the North pole of one magnet near the North pole of another magnet? What about North and South?

✅ Answer:

When like poles (North-North or South-South) are brought together, they repel each other. When unlike poles (North-South) are brought together, they attract each other.

Question 9

What are the uses of magnets in our daily life?

✅ Answer:

Magnets are used in:

Refrigerator doors to keep them closed.
Magnetic compasses for navigation.
Cranes in junkyards to lift heavy iron objects.
Speakers, headphones, and electric motors.
Doctors use magnets to remove iron splinters from wounds.

Question 10

How can you test whether a material is magnetic or non-magnetic?

✅ Answer:

Bring a magnet close to the material. If the material gets attracted to the magnet, it is a magnetic material (like iron, nickel, cobalt). If it does not get attracted, it is a non-magnetic material (like wood, plastic, rubber).

Question 11

Why is a magnet kept away from electronics like mobile phones and televisions?

✅ Answer:

Magnets can damage the electronic components inside devices like mobile phones, televisions, and computers. They can also erase data on credit cards, cassette tapes, and hard drives.

Question 12

What is the difference between a natural magnet and an artificial magnet?

✅ Answer:

Natural magnets are found in nature and have weak magnetic strength. Example: Magnetite (lodestone).

Artificial magnets are made by humans and have strong magnetic strength. Examples: Bar magnet, Horseshoe magnet.

Question 13

What is the difference between a temporary magnet and a permanent magnet?

✅ Answer:

A temporary magnet (like an electromagnet) acts as a magnet only when electric current flows through it. A permanent magnet (like a bar magnet) retains its magnetism for a long time without any external power source.

Question 14

Why is iron used to make electromagnets?

✅ Answer:

Iron is used to make electromagnets because it becomes a strong magnet when current flows through a coil around it, and it loses its magnetism quickly when the current is switched off. This makes it ideal for temporary magnets.

Question 15

What happens when a bar magnet is cut into three pieces?

✅ Answer:

When a bar magnet is cut into three pieces, each piece becomes a complete magnet with its own North and South pole. So there will be three magnets and six poles in total.

Question 1

Explain the properties of a magnet with examples.

✅ Answer:

Properties of a Magnet:

1. Attractive Property: Magnets attract magnetic materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt. Example: A magnet picks up iron nails.

2. Two Poles: Every magnet has two poles — North and South — where the magnetic force is strongest. Example: Iron filings stick more at the ends of a bar magnet.

3. Like Poles Repel, Unlike Poles Attract: When two magnets are brought close, like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Example: North pole of one magnet repels the North pole of another.

4. Directive Property: A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the North-South direction. Example: A magnetic compass needle always points North-South.

5. Magnetic Poles Cannot Be Separated: If you break a magnet, each piece becomes a complete magnet with its own North and South poles. Example: Breaking a bar magnet gives two smaller magnets.

Question 2

What is the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials? Explain with examples and uses.

✅ Answer:

Magnetic Materials:
Materials that get attracted to a magnet are called magnetic materials.
Examples: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.

Non-Magnetic Materials:
Materials that do not get attracted to a magnet are called non-magnetic materials.
Examples: Wood, Plastic, Glass, Rubber.

Comparison Table:

Feature	Magnetic Materials	Non-Magnetic Materials
Attraction	Attracted by magnet	Not attracted by magnet
Examples	Iron, Nickel, Cobalt	Wood, Plastic, Rubber

Uses:

Magnetic materials are used in making electromagnets, electric motors, and generators.
Non-magnetic materials are used where we don't want magnetic interference, like in watch cases and electronic device casings.

Question 3

Describe an activity to show that a freely suspended magnet always points in the North-South direction.

✅ Answer:

Activity: Finding Directions with a Magnet

Materials needed:

A bar magnet
A piece of thread
A stand

Procedure:

Tie a thread to the middle of the bar magnet.
Hang the magnet from a stand so it can rotate freely.
Wait for the magnet to come to rest.
Note the direction in which the ends of the magnet point.
Rotate the magnet and let it settle again. Repeat this a few times.

Observation:
Each time, the magnet comes to rest in the same direction. One end always points towards the North, and the other towards the South.

Conclusion:
A freely suspended magnet always aligns itself in the North-South direction. This property is used in making magnetic compasses.

Question 4

How can you make an iron strip into a magnet? Explain the steps.

✅ Answer:

Making a Magnet from an Iron Strip (Single Touch Method):

Materials needed:

An iron strip
A strong bar magnet

Steps:

Place the iron strip flat on a table.
Hold the bar magnet and place one of its poles at one end of the iron strip.
Without lifting the magnet, move it along the length of the strip to the other end.
Lift the magnet and bring it back to the starting end.
Repeat this stroking process 30-40 times in the same direction.
Test if the iron strip has become a magnet by bringing some iron filings or a pin near it.

Conclusion:
After repeated stroking, the iron strip becomes a magnet with its own North and South poles.

Question 5

What precautions should be taken while storing magnets? Why?

✅ Answer:

Precautions for Storing Magnets:

Store bar magnets in pairs: Keep two bar magnets with their unlike poles on the same side (North of one facing South of the other). Place a piece of wood between them.
Use keepers for horseshoe magnets: Place a soft iron piece (keeper) across the poles of a horseshoe magnet.
Keep away from electronic devices: Magnets should be kept away from mobile phones, televisions, computers, and credit cards.
Avoid heat and hammering: Never heat, hammer, or drop magnets.

Why:
These precautions prevent the magnets from losing their magnetism (demagnetisation) and protect electronic devices from damage.

Question 6

Explain attraction and repulsion between magnets. How can you identify the poles of an unmarked magnet?

✅ Answer:

Attraction and Repulsion:

Like poles repel: When the North pole of one magnet is brought near the North pole of another, they push each other away. Same for South-South.
Unlike poles attract: When the North pole of one magnet is brought near the South pole of another, they pull towards each other.

Identifying Poles of an Unmarked Magnet:

Suspend the unmarked magnet freely and let it settle.
The end pointing towards the North is the North pole, and the end pointing South is the South pole.
Alternatively, bring a known magnet's North pole near both ends. The end that repels is the North pole of the unmarked magnet.

Note: Repulsion is the surest test for identifying magnetic poles, as a non-magnet can also be attracted by a magnet.

Question 7

What are electromagnets? How are they different from permanent magnets?

✅ Answer:

Electromagnets:
An electromagnet is a temporary magnet created by winding a coil of insulated wire around an iron core and passing electric current through it.

How it works:

When current flows, the iron core becomes a strong magnet.
When current stops, the magnetism is lost.

Difference from Permanent Magnets:

Feature	Electromagnet	Permanent Magnet
Magnetism	Temporary (only when current flows)	Permanent
Strength	Can be controlled	Fixed
Example	Crane lifting iron	Bar magnet

Question 8

Why do magnets lose their magnetism? What are the ways to demagnetise a magnet?

✅ Answer:

Why Magnets Lose Magnetism:

Magnets can lose their magnetism due to:

Heating: High temperatures disrupt the alignment of magnetic domains.
Hammering: Repeated striking disturbs the magnetic alignment.
Dropping: A sudden impact can weaken the magnetic field.
Improper storage: Keeping magnets with like poles together or without keepers.

Ways to Demagnetise:

Heat the magnet strongly.
Hammer it repeatedly.
Drop it from a height multiple times.
Store it improperly over time.

Note:
Demagnetisation is permanent; the magnet cannot regain its magnetism on its own.

Question 9

What are the different shapes of magnets? Where are they used?

✅ Answer:

Shapes of Magnets:

Bar Magnet: A rectangular bar shape. Used in laboratories, compasses, and experiments.
Horseshoe Magnet: A U-shaped magnet. Used in electric bells, loudspeakers, and motors.
Cylindrical Magnet: A cylindrical shape. Used in small motors and sensors.
Disc Magnet: A flat circular shape. Used in magnetic holders and closures.
Ring Magnet: A ring or donut shape. Used in speakers and sensors.

Common Uses of Magnets:

Refrigerator doors and magnetic stickers.
Magnetic compasses for navigation.
Cranes in junkyards for lifting iron.
Doctors use magnets to remove iron splinters from wounds.
Electric motors, generators, speakers, and headphones.

Question 10

What is a magnetic field? How can you show the magnetic field of a bar magnet?

✅ Answer:

Magnetic Field:
The magnetic field is the area around a magnet where its magnetic force can be felt. It is strongest at the poles and weakest in the middle.

Activity to Show Magnetic Field:

Place a bar magnet under a sheet of paper.
Sprinkle some iron filings evenly on the paper.
Gently tap the paper.

Observation:
The iron filings arrange themselves in a pattern of curved lines around the magnet. These lines are denser near the poles and spread out in the middle.

Conclusion:
This pattern shows the magnetic field lines of the magnet. The field is strongest at the poles where the lines are closest together.

📘 Quick Revision: Fun with Magnets

Magnet: Attracts iron, nickel, cobalt; has two poles — North and South.
Magnetic Materials: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.
Non-Magnetic Materials: Wood, Plastic, Glass, Rubber.
Like Poles: Repel; Unlike Poles: Attract.
Free Suspended Magnet: Always points North-South.
Compass: Used to find directions.
Magnetisation: Stroking iron with a magnet in one direction.
Demagnetisation: Loss of magnetism due to heating, hammering, or dropping.
Storage: Store magnets properly with keepers or wooden separators.