ABU DHABI INDIAN SCHOOL, BRANCH-1, AL WATHBA

GRADE: VI - SCIENCE
FUN WITH MAGNETS-NOTES

1. Define the following:

Magnet: A magnet is any substance that produces a magnetic force (push or pull) on
magnetic material.
Magnetic field: The region surrounding a magnet in which the magnetic force can
be experienced is called its magnetic field.
Electromagnet: When electric current is passed through a coil of insulated copper
wire, wound around a soft iron rod, it behaves like a bar magnet. This is called an
electromagnet.

2. Differentiate the following:

i) Magnetic and non-magnetic substances

Magnetic substances Non-magnetic substances

Substances which are attracted by a Substances which are not attracted by
magnet are called magnetic a magnet are called non-magnetic
substances. substances.

These substances can be magnetized These substances cannot be

magnetized
Ex: Iron, Cobalt and Nickel Ex: brass, paper, stone, gold, silver etc.

Ii) Permanent and temporary magnets

Permanent magnets Temporary magnets
They retain their magnetic properties
for a long period of time
The magnetic strength remains the
same.
Cannot change their poles.
Ex: Natural and man-made magnets
They retain their magnetic properties
for a short period of time
The magnetic strength can be made
stronger or weaker.
Can change their poles.
Ex: Electromagnets

3. Mention the properties of a magnet.

i) A freely suspended magnet always aligns in the North-South direction. This is
called the directive property of a magnet.
ii) Like poles of a magnet repel each other and unlike poles attract each other.
iii) The magnetic poles always exist in pairs i.e. with the North and South poles.

4. Briefly explain the significance of magnetic field lines.

i) Direction of the magnetic field:

● Magnetic field lines are directed from the North pole to the South pole.

● Inside the magnet, their direction is from the South pole to the North
pole.
● Thus, the field lines form closed loops.

● The magnetic field lines never cross or intersect each other.

ii) Strength of the magnetic field:

● The closeness of the magnetic field lines tells about the strength of
the magnetic field in that area.
● The more closely packed lines indicate a stronger magnetic field.

● Therefore, the magnetic strength is more at the poles.

● As the lines spread out, the magnetic field weakens. Hence poles are
stronger than the center of the bar magnet.
5. Mention a few uses of magnets in our daily life.
Ans: Magnets have a wide application in day-to-day life. A few of them are
given below:
* Credit cards, ATM cards, and identity cards have a strip of magnetic
material that stores information.
* Television and computer monitors use magnets.

* Computer hard discs, audio and video cassettes have magnetic

materials that store information.
* It is also used in telephones, doorbells, mixer grinders, fans, washing
machines, electric motors, electric generators and various types of toys.
* Magnets are used to separate substances made of iron from a scrapyard.

6. Pen down the precautions that must be taken while handling and storing
the magnets.
A. We should take following precautions while handling and storing
magnets:

● Magnets should not be heated, hammered or dropped from some

height.

● Magnets must be kept away from cassettes, mobiles, television, music

system, compact disks (CDs), and computer.
● Magnets should be kept in pairs with their unlike poles on the same
side. They must be separated by a piece of wood while two pieces of
soft iron (magnetic keepers) should be placed across their ends.
● For horseshoe magnets, one should keep a piece of iron across
the poles.

7. Is it possible to make a steel bar into a magnet? If so, explain

the method.
Ans: Yes, the steel bar can be magnetized by the following method:
 ● Strike the magnet onto the surface of the steel bar in one direction.
● Repeat this process 30-40 times or more till the steel bar becomes
magnetized.
● The magnetized steel bar will behave like a temporary bar magnet.

8. Sam kept a bar magnet alone safely in a wooden box for a few
months. Will there be any change in the magnetic properties of
the bar magnet? Support your answer.
Ans: Yes, the strength of the bar magnet will change. If the bar
magnet is left alone for a long time, they slowly lose its
magnetic properties by a process called self-demagnetization.
Hence, bar magnets should be stored in pairs using keepers.

9. How is a compass used to make directions?

Ans: A compass has a magnetic needle at the center which can spin freely. It
makes use of the directive property of a magnet according to which a freely
suspended magnet always rests in the North-South direction.

10. Read the assertion and reason given below. Mark the correct option.
Assertion: When a horseshoe magnet is brought close to a pile of iron filings,
more filings will be attracted to the U-shaped part of the magnet.

Reason: The horseshoe magnet has only one pole that is its U-shaped part.

A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation
of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct
explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true and the reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.