Welcome students! Find detailed solutions to Chapter 4 ‘Let us enhance our learning’ questions, given at the back of the chapter. We have also included a plethora of extra questions which will test your knowledge and will nicely complement your learning. We only suggest you study them in detail for maximum benefit.
Solutions to ‘Let us enhance our learning’ (Page No 74) of NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 4 Exploring Magnets
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.
Solution:
(i) Unlike poles of two magnets attract each other, whereas like poles repel each other.
(ii) The materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials.
(iii) The needle of a magnetic compass rests along the north-south direction.
(iv) A magnet always has two poles.
2. State whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
(i) A magnet can be broken into pieces to obtain a single pole. [ ]
(ii) Similar poles of a magnet repel each other. [ ]
(iii) Iron filings mostly stick in the middle of a bar magnet when it is brought near them. [ ]
(iv) A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns with the north-south direction. [ ]
Solution:
(i) False. If a magnet is broken into pieces, each piece will have two poles. The poles of a magnet always exist in pairs. A single North pole or a single South pole cannot exist.
(ii) True.
(iii) False. Iron filings mostly stick to the two poles of the bar magnetwhen it is brought near them.
(iv) True.
3. Column I shows different positions in which one pole of a magnet is placed near that of the other. Column II indicates the resulting interaction between them for different situations. Fill in the blanks.
| Column I | Column II |
| N – N | ____ |
| N – ____ | Attraction |
| S – N | ____ |
| ____ – S | Repulsion |
Solution:
| Column I | Column II |
| N – N | Repulsion |
| N – S | Attraction |
| S – N | Attraction |
| S – S | Repulsion |
4. Atharv performed an experiment in which he took a bar magnet and rolled it over a heap of steel U-clips (Fig. 4.15).
According to you, which of the options given in Table 4.3 is likely to be his observation?
Table 4.3: Number of pins attracted by the magnet at its various positions
| Position A | Position B | Position C | |
| (i) | 10 | 2 | 10 |
| (ii) | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| (iii) | 2 | 10 | 10 |
| (iv) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Solution:
The steel U-clips will be attracted mostly at the two poles of the bar magnet (Position A and Position C) and least in the middle (Position B). This situation is described by the numbers shown in (i).
Therefore, (i) 10, 2, 10 will be Atharv’s observation.
5. Reshma bought three identical metal bars from the market. Out of these bars, two were magnets and one was just a piece of iron. How will she identify which two amongst the three could be magnets (without using any other material)?
Solution:
Reshma should take any one iron bar and bring it near the two poles of the other two iron bars. If there is attraction each time, then she can conclude that the iron bar she chose was just a piece of iron. However, if there is repulsion in any one of the cases, then she can conclude that the iron bar she took along with the iron bar that repelled it were the two magnets, and the iron bar that was attracted each time was the plain iron piece.
6. You are given a magnet which does not have the poles marked. How can you find its poles with the help of another magnet which has its poles marked?
Solution:
The North pole of the magnet with the poles marked is brought near one end of the magnet with unknown poles. If there is repulsion then that pole is the North pole and if there is attraction, then that pole is the South pole.
7. A bar magnet has no markings to indicate its poles. How would you find out near which end its North pole is located without using another magnet?
Solution:
The bar magnet can be suspended horizontally with a string. It will come to rest in the North-South direction. If we have noticed the direction where the Sun rises or sets, we have an approximate idea of where East or West is. Therefore, using that as reference we can identify which pole is North and which pole is South.
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?
Solution:
Yes, we can guess the poles of earth’s magnet by looking at the direction of the magnetic compass. The end of the compass needle pointing North actually indicates the magnetic South pole of the Earth, since unlike poles attract each other.
9. While a mechanic was repairing a gadget using a screw driver, the steel screws kept falling down. Suggest a way to solve the problem of the mechanic on the basis of what you have learnt in this chapter.
Solution:
The mechanic can make the screw driver magnetic by repeatedly stroking it with a bar magnet from end to end. It would then be able to attract the steel screws and hold them in place with ease.
10. Two ring magnets X and Y are arranged as shown in Fig. 4.16. It is observed that the magnet X does not move down further. What could be the possible reason? Suggest a way to bring the magnet X in contact with magnet Y, without pushing either of the magnets.
Solution:
The magnet X does not move down further in the arrangement due to repulsion of like poles. Either the two North poles or the two South poles of the magnets are facing each other, due to which repulsion is happening.
The magnet X can be easily lifted off the rod, turned over and slipped back on the rod. In this arrangement, unlike poles face each other and hence magnet X will come in contact with magnet Y due to attraction between unlike poles.
11. Three magnets are arranged on a table in the form of the shape shown in Fig. 4.17. What is the polarity, N or S, at the ends 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the magnets? Polarity of one end (5) is given for you.
Solution:
Each magnet contains two poles, North and South.
Rightmost Magnet: Polarity of end (5) is North. Therefore, the polarity of the other end of the same magnet (6) is South.
Middle Magnet: Ends (4) and (5) are in contact with each other. Now, since unlike poles attract each other the polarity of 4 must be opposite to North, i.e. South. Therefore, the polarity of the other end (3) is North.
Leftmost Magnet: Ends (2) and (3) are joined together. Since unlike poles attract each other the polarity of (2) must be opposite to North, i.e. South. Therefore, the polarity of the other end (1) is North.
Summary:
The polarities are as follows:
1 – North (N)
2 – South (S)
3 – North (N)
4 – South (S)
6 – South (S)
Solutions to In Text Questions of NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 4 Exploring Magnets
1. (Page 62) Do magnets stick to objects made of certain materials only?
Answer:
Yes, magnets stick to objects made of certain materials only. These materials are known as magnetic materials. Examples: iron, cobalt, nickel.
2. (Page 64) Do all parts of a magnet attract magnetic materials equally?
Answer:
No, all parts of a magnet do not attract magnetic materials equally. The attraction is maximum at the poles of the magnet and much lesser in the middle region.
3. (Page 64) If we repeat this activity with magnets of other shapes, do we get the same result?
Answer:
Yes, if we repeat this activity with magnets of other shapes, we get the same result. The iron filings will stick to the two poles of the magnet, wherever they might be located.
4. (Page 65) Can we find a magnet with a single pole?
Answer:
No, it is not possible to obtain a magnet with a single pole. All magnets, irrespective of size or shape, have two poles – North pole and South pole.
5. (Page 66) How can we make our own magnetic compass?
Answer:
To make your own magnetic compass, gather a cork, iron needle, bar magnet, glass bowl, and water. Magnetize the needle by repeatedly stroking it from end to end with one pole of the bar magnet about 30 to 40 times. Then pass the magnetized needle through the cork and float the cork in the bowl of water. You will find that the needle always aligns itself in the North-South direction, even if it disturbed. Thus, it can act as a magnetic compass.
6. (Page 67) What happens when we bring two magnets closer to each other?
Answer:
When two magnets are brought close to each other, they either attract or repel each other. If like poles (North-North or South-South) are brought closer to each other, repulsion will occur. If opposite poles (North-South) are brought near each other attraction will occur.
7. (Page 69) The compass needle is also a magnet. Will it show the same behaviour if a magnet is brought closer to it?
Answer:
Yes, the magnetic compass needle will also show the same behaviour if a magnet is brought closer to it. If the North Pole of the magnet is brought near the North pole of the compass needle, there will be repulsion and the needle will deflect away from the magnet. If the South Pole of the magnet is brought near the North pole of the compass needle, there will be attraction and the needle will be attracted towards the magnet.
8. (Page 70) Suppose we place a piece of wood between the compass needle and the magnet. Will this affect the deflection of the compass needle?
Answer:
No, it will not affect the deflection of the compass needle. This is because the magnetic effect can act through non-magnetic materials.
Extra Questions to Complement Solutions to NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 4 Exploring Magnets
Very Short Answer Type Questions:
1. What are magnetic substances?
Answer:
Materials which are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic substances. For example, iron, nickel, cobalt.
2. What are non-magnetic substances?
Answer:
Materials which are not attracted towards a magnet are called non-magnetic substances. For example, plastic, leather etc.
3. Is soil a magnetic or a non-magnetic material?
Answer:
Soil is a non-magnetic material.
4. Is it possible to have a magnet with one pole?
Answer:
No, all magnets have two poles, north and south.
5. What happens if the south pole of a bar magnet is brought near the south pole of another bar magnet?
Answer:
The two bar magnets will repel each other.
6. Name a naturally occurring magnet.
Answer:
A naturally occurring magnet is called magnetite.
7. Name a metal which is not attracted by magnets.
Answer:
Gold is a metal which is not attracted by magnets.
8. Name a device which works based on the property of magnets.
Answer:
The compass is a device which works based on the property of magnets.
9. What is a sure test for magnetism?
Answer:
Repulsion is a sure test for magnetism.
10. Can magnets attract from very far?
Answer:
No. There is a certain range within which magnets attract.
Short Answer Type Questions:
1. Name two uses of magnets.
Answer:
Two uses of magnets are:
(i) Magnets can used to attach things to your refrigerator.
(ii) Magnets are used for separation in recycling of metals.
2. You do not know the poles of a bar magnet. How do you identify which is North and which is South using another magnet?
Answer:
Bring the North pole of another bar magnet near each of the ends of the first bar magnet. The end that causes attraction will be the South pole and the end that causes repulsion will be the North pole.
3. Do magnets lose their properties?
Answer:
Yes. Magnets lose their properties if they are heated, hammered or dropped from some height.
4. Which areas of a bar magnet attract iron the most?
Answer:
The North and Southpoles are at the ends of the bar magnet. Therefore, the ends of the bar magnet attract iron the most.
5. How did travellers find directions in the olden days?
Answer:
Travellers used to find directions in the olden days by suspending natural magnets with a thread. The magnet would then align itself in the North-South direction. From there you can get the East-West direction.
6. How can a magnet lose its properties?
Answer:
Magnets lose their properties if they are heated, hammered and dropped from some height. Also, magnets become weak if they are not stored properly.
7. You have found the direction in which a window opens in your room by using the compass. The needle points in the North-South direction according to the dial. Now you rotate the compass in your hand. How will the reading change?
Answer:
The reading will not change if you rotate the compass in your hand. This because the magnetic needle of the compass always points in the North-South direction, even if the compass is rotated. The reading is based on the direction in which the needle points and not the markings themselves.
8. How did travellers find directions in the olden days?
Answer:
Travellers used to find directions in the olden days by suspending natural magnets with a thread. The magnet always came to rest in the North-South direction. Also, at least one end of the magnet would be marked to indicate which direction was north and which was south.
9. How can you prove the strength of the north pole and the south pole of a magnet is always equal?
Answer: You can place the magnet in some iron filings. The amount of iron filings attracted to each end will be the same. This proves that the strength of the magnet is the same at both poles.
10. How can you prepare multiple magnets from one magnet?
Answer:
You can cut the initial magnet to form two or more pieces. Each piece will behave like a magnet and will have two poles. In this way you can prepare multiple magnets from one magnet.
Long Answer Type Questions:
1. Design an experiment to prove that a magnet always comes to rest in the North-South direction.
Answer:
Here is the experiment to prove that a magnet always comes to rest in the North-South direction:
(i) Take a bar magnet.
(ii) Tie a thread in the middle and suspend it from a wooden stand.
(iii) Watch it rotate freely and come to rest.
(iv) After it comes to rest, mark the points on the ground to show the positions corresponding to the ends of the magnet.
(v) Draw a line by joining the two points to get the direction in which the magnet points after it comes to rest.
(vi) Now, disturb the magnet by pushing and rotating it and let it come to rest. Repeat this several times.
(vii) You will see that every single time, the magnet points in the sameNorth-South direction after coming to rest.
2. How do you determine which pole of a magnet is the North Pole and which pole is the South Pole?
Answer:
You can determine which pole of a magnet is the North Pole and which pole is the South Pole by the following method:
(i) Suspend the bar magnet using a string.
(ii) Let the magnet come to rest. The free magnet always comes to rest in the North-South direction.
(iii) Use the direction of the rising sun in the morning to find out the rough direction towards east, where you are doing the experiment.
(iv) Therefore, the North pole of the magnet will be the one to the left of the direction in which the sun rises in your location.
(v) The South pole of the magnet will be the one to the right of the direction in which the sun rises in your location.
3. How should magnets be stored?
Answer:
Magnets should be stored in the following ways:
(i) Magnets should be stored in such a way that they are not dropped or heated.
(ii) Bar magnets should be kept in pairs with their unlike poles on the same side.
(iii) Bar magnets should be kept in pairs with unlike poles on the same side. They must be separated by a piece of wood and two pieces of soft iron should be places across their ends.
(iv) For a horse-shoe magnet, one should keep a piece of iron across the poles.
(v) Keep magnets away from gadgets like cassettes, mobiles, television, music system, compact disks (CDs) and the computer.
Fill in the blanks:
plastic, weak, magnet, greater, magnesia
(a) A crane moves a heap of junk using a _________.
(b) Magnets become _________ if they not stored properly.
(b) Closer a magnet is brought to another magnet, the _________the attraction or repulsion.
(d) _________ will not attract iron.
Answers:
(a) A crane moves a heap of junk using a magnet.
(b) Magnets become weak if they not stored properly.
(d) Closer a magnet is brought to another magnet, the greater the attraction or repulsion.
(d) Plastic will not attract iron.
Match and pair:
| Column A | Column B |
| (i) Freely suspended bar magnet | (a) Attract each other |
| (ii) Opposite poles | (b) Non-magnetic substance |
| (iii) Like poles | (c) Is a large magnet |
| (iv) Sand | (d) North-South direction |
| (v) Earth | (e) Repel each other |
Answer:
The correct table is shown below:
| Column A | Column B |
| (i) Freely suspended bar magnet | (d) North-South direction |
| (ii) Opposite poles | (e) Repel each other |
| (iii) Like poles | (a) Attract each other |
| (iv) Sand | (b) Non-magnetic substance |
| (v) Earth | (c) Is a large magnet |
++++++++++++++
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 4 Exploring Magnets
We have thoroughly answered all ‘Let us enhance our learning’ exercise questions and even included extra questions in this solutions material. The solutions have been designed scientifically to provide you with maximum benefit while you study. The whole chapter has been comprehensively covered in this material and will help you prepare for your exams.
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The following topics are covered:
4.1 Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials
4.2 Poles of Magnet
4.3 Finding Directions
4.4 Attraction and Repulsion between Magnets
4.5 Fun with Magnets
Of course! You can download the PDF versions of educationroundtheworld.com’s NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 4 Exploring Magnets anytime you please! We have included the entire material in the PDF version for your benefit! Please look towards the top of the page to find the download button!
Understand the concepts of magnetic and non-magnetic materials, poles of a magnet, finding directions using magnets and the magnetic compass. We have explained these concepts thoroughly in these materials, so study them well for your exams.
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