Class 6 Magnetism MCQ with Answers

MCQs and Mock Test | NCERT - CBSE Curriculum

Practice Class 6 Magnetism MCQs for CBSE exams.
Learn about magnets, magnetic and non-magnetic materials, poles, Earth's magnetism, electromagnets, and more - with instant answers and performance report.

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Quick Revision: Magnetism

  • Magnet: An object that attracts certain materials like iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel.
  • Natural Magnets: Found in nature (e.g., magnetite/lodestone). Weak and irregular in shape.
  • Artificial Magnets: Man-made magnets in various shapes (bar, horseshoe, cylindrical). Much stronger than natural magnets.
  • Magnetic Materials: Attracted by magnets (e.g., iron, steel, nickel, cobalt).
  • Non-Magnetic Materials: Not attracted by magnets (e.g., wood, glass, brass, plastic).
  • Magnetic Poles: The ends of a magnet where the force of attraction is maximum. Every magnet has two poles: North (N) and South (S).
  • Law of Magnetism: Like poles repel each other; unlike poles attract each other.
  • Directive Property: A freely suspended magnet always rests in the North-South direction.
  • Magnetic Field: The space around a magnet where its influence can be felt.
  • Magnetic Induction: The process by which a magnetic substance becomes a temporary magnet in the presence of another magnet.
  • Temporary Magnets: Made of soft iron; lose magnetism quickly when the inducing field is removed.
  • Permanent Magnets: Made of steel; retain magnetism for a long time.
  • Electromagnet: A coil of wire wound around a soft iron core that behaves like a magnet when current flows through it.
  • Magnetic Keepers: Pieces of soft iron used to store magnets and prevent loss of magnetism.
  • Demagnetization: Loss of magnetic properties due to heating, hammering, dropping, or alternating current.
  • Earth's Magnetism: The Earth behaves like a giant magnet with its magnetic South pole near the geographic North.
  • Compass: A device with a magnetized needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field to show direction.

Magnetism Class 6 Questions and Answers (FAQ)

What is magnetism and what are magnetic and non-magnetic materials in Class 6 Science?
Magnetism is the property of certain materials to attract iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel. Magnetic materials are those attracted by a magnet (like iron, nickel, cobalt, and steel). Non-magnetic materials are not attracted by magnets (like wood, plastic, glass, brass, and paper). This property helps us separate magnetic materials from mixtures using a magnet.
What happens when like poles and unlike poles of two magnets are brought together?
When like poles (north-north or south-south) of two magnets are brought together, they repel each other. When unlike poles (north-south) are brought together, they attract each other. This is the fundamental law of magnetism: like poles repel, unlike poles attract. This property is used in compasses, magnetic locks, and Maglev trains.
What is the directive property of a magnet and how is it used in a compass?
The directive property of a magnet means that a freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the geographic North-South direction. This happens because Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet with its magnetic South pole near the geographic North. A magnetic compass uses this property - its magnetized needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field and always points North-South, helping travelers, sailors, and hikers find directions.
What is an electromagnet and how does it differ from a permanent magnet?
An electromagnet is a coil of insulated wire wound around a soft iron core that behaves like a magnet when electric current flows through it. Unlike a permanent magnet (made of steel), an electromagnet can be switched on and off by controlling the current. Its strength can be increased by increasing the current or the number of turns in the coil. Electromagnets are used in electric bells, scrap cranes, loudspeakers, and telephone receivers.
How can a magnet lose its magnetism and how should magnets be stored?
A magnet can lose its magnetism (become demagnetized) by heating to high temperature, hammering, dropping repeatedly on a hard surface, or passing alternating current through a coil around it. To prevent this, magnets should be stored using magnetic keepers - pieces of soft iron placed across the poles. Two bar magnets should be stored with opposite poles facing each other, separated by wood, with soft iron keepers at the ends.

Chapter Summary: Magnetism

Magnetism is the property of certain materials to attract iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel. The first magnets were discovered as naturally occurring minerals called magnetite or lodestone. Today, we use artificial magnets made in various shapes like bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, and cylindrical magnets. Magnetic materials are those that are attracted by a magnet, while non-magnetic materials are not.

Every magnet has two poles: a North pole and a South pole. Like poles repel each other, while unlike poles attract. A freely suspended magnet always aligns itself in the North-South direction, a property used in magnetic compasses for navigation. The space around a magnet where its influence is felt is called its magnetic field.

Magnetism can be induced in soft iron temporarily, while steel retains magnetism permanently. Electromagnets, which are created by passing electric current through a coil of wire, have many practical applications like electric bells and cranes. The Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet, which is why a compass needle points North. Understanding magnetism helps us appreciate its many uses in everyday life, from simple toys to complex technologies.

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