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Magnets are fun to play with. One of the most common uses of magnets is done by sailors or travellers to find directions and the poles of the earth’s magnetic field. Magnets play an important role in the field of science and our everyday life. For students’ understanding, the NCERT Class 6th Science Chapter 10: Fun with Magnets is one of the best sources to study about them. This chapter explores details like the discovery of magnets, different types of magnets, how to use them to find directions, how to make your magnet, how magnets attract and repulse, etc. We will provide you with easy-to-understand notes, which will help you to ace in school. Also, we have provided NCERT solutions to all questions in the chapter- “Fun With Magnets”.
Table of Contents
- 1 Summary of NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 10
- 2 Important Questions in NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 10
- 3 FAQs
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Summary of NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 10
CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 10 on Magnets introduces us to the history of magnets and magnetite. After that, we get to know about types of magnets and magnetic and non-magnetic materials. Further, we also learn about the poles of a magnet and the magnetic poles of the Earth. In addition, we also understand the usage of compass and how to use magnets to find directions. After learning about all these, we will also get tips to preserve magnets for longer use.
Let us now understand all the important concepts of NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 10!!
Discovery of Magnets
According to Greek mythology, the initial encounter with magnetism is attributed to a shepherd named Magnes from Magnesia, Greece. While tending to his flock in the mountains, Magnes observed an unusual phenomenon: the metal tip of his staff and the nails in his sandals were drawn towards a particular rock. This rock, subsequently identified as magnetite, had magnetic properties that caused the iron objects to adhere to it. It earned its name either in honour of the shepherd or the region where it was discovered. Additionally, it gained the moniker “loadstone” due to its compelling magnetic characteristics.
- Magnets: Objects that attract metals such as iron, cobalt, and nickel are known as magnets.
- Magnetite: One of the three naturally occurring iron oxides is called magnetite. It is attracted to magnets. Also, it can be converted into a permanent magnet easily. Naturally occurring magnetised bits of magnetite are known as loadstone.
Natural and Artificial Magnets
- Natural Magnets: These are magnets that are naturally occurring. Magnetites are natural magnets.
- Artificial Magnets: These are materials, especially metals like iron, cobalt, and nickel, that can be transformed into a magnet by using another magnet. There are three common shapes of an artificial magnet, namely a Bar magnet, a Cylindrical magnet, and a Horseshoe magnet.
Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Materials
- Magnetic Materials: Materials or objects which are attracted to magnets are termed magnetic materials. Common examples of these materials are nickel, cobalt, and iron.
- Non-magnetic materials: Materials or objects that are not attracted to magnets are called non-magnetic materials. Some of the common examples are plastic, leather, rubber, and wood.
Also Read: 18 Interesting Science Experiments for Class 6 at Home
Poles of a Magnet or Magnetic Poles
Each magnet has two poles- the North Pole and the South Pole. These poles are present on two ends of a magnet. Both poles are the most dense part of a magnet.
Attraction and Repulsion Between Magnets
Opposite poles of magnets attract each other. Whereas, the same poles repel each other.
Finding Directions Using Magnets
Before we learn how to find directions using magnets, let us learn about the magnetic poles of the Earth and Compass.
Magnetic Poles of the Earth
- The Earth has two geographic poles- the North Pole and the South Pole. The North Pole is the Antarctica, whereas, the South Pole is the Arctic.
- The magnetic poles of the Earth are near the geographic poles of the plane.
- A magnetic compass points itself in the direction of the earth’s magnetic north pole.
What is a Compass?
A compass or a magnetic compass is a device that contains a magnetic needle inside a glass-covered box. This needle points to the north and south poles of the Earth. This helps in determining directions from a point.
Finding Directions
Since time immemorial, magnets have been used to find directions. Here are two ways:
- Through a Bar Magnet: A bar magnet when suspended in air, aligns itself in the north-south direction.
- Through a Magnetic Compass: A magnetic compass’s needle can freely rotate. Its needle always rests in a north-south direction, regardless of where it is maintained. To distinguish the north and south poles of a needle, the north pole is typically painted red or another indicator is provided. Thus, north and south can be determined with this needle.
Tips to Keep Magnets
Here are some cautions to preserve magnets properly:
- The magnetic properties of a magnet weaken if it is dropped from a height, heated, or hammered.
- A magnet loses its magnetism if it is not stored properly. To retain its magnetic properties, a bar magnet must always be stored in pairs. The opposite poles of each magnet should face each other. Both magnets must be separated with the help of a wood piece. Also, two pieces of soft iron must be placed across the edges of each bar magnet. Whereas, for a horseshoe magnet, you should keep an iron piece across the poles.
- Magnets should not come in contact with electronic devices such as TVs, music systems, computers, mobiles, compact discs (CDs), hard drives, etc.
Also Read: Magnetic Effects Of Electric Current Class 10
Download NCERT Science Class 6 Science Chapter 10 Important Questions and Answers PDF
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Important Questions in NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 10
In this section, we have solved all the questions of Exercise in Chapter 10-” Fun with Magnets”. These answers will help you ace your tests and mid-terms.
Ques 1: Fill up the blanks:
- Artificial magnets are made in different shapes like _____________, ______________, and ____________.
- Materials or objects that are attracted towards a magnet are known as ___________.
- Paper is not a _____________ material.
- Centuries ago, sailors used to find direction by using a piece of ____________.
- A magnet always has ___________ poles.
Ans:
- Bar, Cylindrical, Horseshoe
- Magnetic
- Magnetic
- Magnet
- Two
Ques 2: Which of the following statements are true or false:
- A cylindrical magnet has only 1 pole.
- Artificial magnets were discovered in Greece.
- Similar magnetic poles repel each other.
- Most of the iron filings stick in the middle of a bar magnet when the stick is brought near them.
- Bar magnets are always pointed towards a North-South (N-S) direction.
- A compass needle is used to find the direction of East and West at any place.
- Rubber is a magnetic material.
Ans:
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
Ques 3: It was observed that a pencil sharpener gets attracted by both the poles of a
magnet although its body is made of plastic. Name a material that might have
been used to make some part of it.
Ans: Iron
Ques 4: Column I shows different positions in which one pole of a magnet is placed near
that of the other. Column II indicates the resulting action between them for
each situation. Fill up the blanks.
| Column I | Column II |
| N-N | ______________ |
| N-_____________ | Attraction |
| S-N | ______________ |
| ______-S | Repulsion |
Ans:
| Column I | Column II |
| N-N | ____Repulsion__________ |
| N-________S_____ | Attraction |
| S-N | _____Attraction_________ |
| ___N_-S | Repulsion |
Ques 5: Name any two properties of a magnet.
Ans: Here are the two properties of a magnet:
- All magnets attract objects that are made of metals like iron, copper, cobalt, and nickel.
- Each magnet has two poles and opposite poles attract each other.
Ques 6: What is the position of poles in a bar magnet?
Ans: Both poles are located at the two ends of a bar magnet.
Ques 7: There are no markings on a bar magnet to indicate its poles. How would you find out near which end is its north pole located?
Ans: The poles of a bar magnet are determined by suspending or hanging it in the air. The end of the suspended bar magnet pointing to the north is its north pole and the other end is its south pole.
Ques 8: How will change an iron strip to a magnet?
Ans: Here are the steps to convert an iron strip to a magnet:
- Take the strip and put it on a flat surface like a wooden table.
- Now, pick up a bar magnet and put either of its poles near one end of the iron strip. Move it till you reach the other edge of the iron strip without lifting it.
- Lift up the bar magnet now and bring back the pole of the bar magnet to the same end of the iron strip where you started.
- Now, we have to repeat this process for nearly 30 to 40 times.
- Bring some iron fillings next to the strip and see how the fills are drawn to the strip. This shows that the iron strip turns into a magnet.
We should keep in mind that a magnet’s pole and direction of motion should not change.
Ques 9: How is a compass used to find directions?
Ans: A compass needle always points north and south. By knowing te north and south directions, we can also find east and west directions.
Ques 10: A magnet was brought from different directions towards a toy boat that has been floating in water in a tub. The effect observed in each case is stated in Column I. Possible reasons for the observed effects are mentioned in Column II. Match the statements given in Column I with those in Column II.
| Column I | Column II |
| Boat moves towards the magnet if the north pole of the magnet is brought near its head | Boat is fitted with a magnet with north pole towards its head |
| Boat is not affected by the magnet | Boat is made up of non-magnetic material |
| Boat moves towards the magnet if the north pole of the magnet is brought near its head | Boat has a small magnet fixed along its length |
| Boat moves away from the magnet when the north pole is brought near its head | Boat is fitted with a magnet with north pole toward its head |
| Boat floats without changing its direction | Boat is made up non-magnetic material |
Ans:
| Column I | Column II |
| Boat gets attracted towards the magnet | Boat is made of magnetic material |
| Boat is not affected by the magnet | Boat is made up of non-magnetic material |
| Boat moves away from the magnet when north pole is brought near its head | Boat is fitted with a magnet with the south pole toward its head |
| Boat moves away from the magnet when north pole is brought near its head | Boat is fitted with a magnet with north pole toward its head |
| Boat floats without changing its direction | Boat has a small magnet fixed along its length |
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Explore Notes of All subjects of CBSE Class 6:-
| CBSE NCERT Notes Class 6 English | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 6 History | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 6 Geography |
| CBSE NCERTNotes Class 6 Civics | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 6 Mathematics |
FAQs
Ans: The natural magnet was discovered in Greece.
Ans: One of the three naturally occurring iron oxides is called magnetite. It is attracted to magnets. Also, it can be converted into a permanent magnet easily.
Ans: Yes. Opposite poles attract. Whereas, the same poles repel.
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