CHAPTER 4: EXPLORING MAGNETS

Grade 6 Science • Visual Revision & Exam Study Sheet

Quick Facts Activities Included Safety Rules

1. Magnets & Shapes

Basics

Magnet: An object that attracts materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt.

History & Natural Magnets:

  • Lodestone: Naturally occurring magnetic rock discovered in ancient times.
  • Sailors used lodestones to navigate at sea during storms.

Common Shapes of Artificial Magnets:

NS
Bar Magnet
U-Shaped
Ring Magnet

2. Material Types

Classification

Magnetic Materials

Attracted towards a magnet.

Iron (Fe) Nickel (Ni) Cobalt (Co) Steel Pins

Non-Magnetic Materials

NOT attracted towards a magnet.

Wood Plastic Glass Rubber Cloth

Key Discovery (Activity 4.7):

Magnetic force ACTS THROUGH non-magnetic barriers (wood, cardboard, plastic, glass, water)!

3. Poles of a Magnet

Poles
  • Every magnet has TWO poles: North Pole (N) and South Pole (S).
  • Max Magnetic Strength: Most iron filings stick near the ends (poles) of the magnet!

⚠️ Monopoles Do NOT Exist!

If you break a magnet in half, each piece gets its OWN North & South poles!

NS
NS
NS

4. Finding Directions

Navigation

Freely Suspended Magnet:

Always comes to rest along the North-South (N-S) direction.

* Reason: Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet!

The Magnetic Compass

  • Small circular box with transparent glass cover.
  • Magnetized needle balanced on a central pin (rotates freely).
  • North end of the needle is usually painted RED.
Ancient Indian Compass: Matsya-yantra

Magnetised fish-shaped iron piece floating in oil used for sea navigation!

5. Attraction & Repulsion

Golden Rule
UNLIKE Poles ATTRACT
NS
→ ←
NS

North & South pull towards each other

LIKE Poles REPEL
SN
← →
NS

N-N or S-S push away from each other

SURE TEST OF MAGNETISM:

REPULSION is the only sure test!

An iron bar is attracted by BOTH poles, but ONLY a magnet repels another magnet!

6. Make Your Own Magnet

Activity 4.4

Single-Touch Method (Iron Needle):

  1. Place iron sewing needle on a table.
  2. Place one pole of a bar magnet at one end of needle.
  3. Move magnet along needle to the other end.
  4. Lift magnet high, bring back to starting end.
  5. Repeat 30–40 times in the SAME direction! 🔁

DIY Floating Compass: Insert magnetised needle horizontally through a cork floating in water! It turns N-S!

7. Care & Proper Storage of Magnets

Important!

HOW TO STORE PROPERLY:

  • Store bar magnets in PAIRS with UNLIKE poles on the same side.
  • Keep a piece of wood between the two magnets.
  • Place two pieces of soft iron (keepers) across the ends.

PREVENT DEMAGNETIZATION:

  • Do NOT heat, drop, or hammer magnets!
  • Keep away from mobiles, TV remotes, computers & CD cards.
  • Handle with care to retain magnetic strength long term!

8. Keywords Flash Cards

Exam Vocab
Lodestone Bar Magnet North Pole South Pole Magnetic Material Repulsion Compass Matsya-yantra

🎯 Ultimate Formula to Remember:

LIKE = REPEL 🚫 | UNLIKE = ATTRACT ❤️

Made for Class 6 Curiosity Science • Visual Learning Made Easy 🚀