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CLASS 6 · SCIENCE · CHAPTER 4

Exploring Magnets

Easy-to-follow answers to all 11 end questions, with short concept-check answers for the chapter prompts.

17 worked answersComplete chapter answers
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Textbook pages 74–76

Question 1

Fill in the blanks: (i) Unlike poles ___ each other, whereas like poles ___ each other. (ii) Materials attracted towards a magnet are called ___. (iii) A compass needle rests along the ___ direction. (iv) A magnet always has ___ poles.

Steps only

(i) attract; repel (ii) magnetic materials (iii) north-south (iv) two

Answer

  • (i) attract; repel
  • (ii) magnetic materials
  • (iii) north-south
  • (iv) two

Question 2

State whether each is true or false: (i) Breaking a magnet can give a single pole. (ii) Similar poles repel. (iii) Iron filings mostly stick to the middle of a bar magnet. (iv) A freely suspended bar magnet aligns north-south.

Steps only

F, T, F, T

Answer

  • (i) False
  • (ii) True
  • (iii) False
  • (iv) True

Question 3

Match each pair of facing poles to attraction or repulsion: N–N, N–S, S–N, and S–S.

Steps only

Same poles repel; opposite poles attract.

Answer

N–N: repulsion; N–S: attraction; S–N: attraction; S–S: repulsion.

Question 4

A bar magnet is rolled over a heap of steel U-clips. At positions A, B, and C (two poles and the middle), which likely numbers of clips are picked up: (i) 10, 2, 10; (ii) 10, 10, 2; (iii) 2, 10, 10; or (iv) 10, 10, 10?

Steps only

Option (i): more clips at A and C (the poles), fewer at B (middle).

Answer

Option (i): A = 10, B = 2, C = 10. The ends (poles) pick up more clips than the middle.

Question 5

Reshma has three identical-looking metal bars. Two are magnets and one is iron. How can she identify the magnets without using any other material?

Steps only

Bring bar ends close in pairs. The two bars that can repel are magnets; iron cannot cause repulsion.

Answer

Test the bars in pairs by bringing their ends close without touching. The pair that repels in one arrangement are the two magnets. Repulsion is the sure test because iron is attracted to a magnet but does not repel it.

Question 6

You have a magnet with unmarked poles and another magnet with marked poles. How can you find the unmarked magnet’s poles?

Steps only

Test with the marked North pole: repulsion means North, attraction means South.

Answer

Bring the marked North pole near each end. The end that repels it is North; the end that attracts it is South.

Question 7

A bar magnet has no pole markings. How can you find which end is its North pole without using another magnet?

Steps only

Suspend it freely; the end that points north is the North pole.

Answer

Tie a thread at the magnet’s centre and let it hang freely. When it settles, the end pointing north is its North pole.

Question 8

If Earth is a magnet, what can you infer about the poles of Earth’s magnet from a compass needle’s direction?

Steps only

Earth’s magnetic South is near geographic North, and its magnetic North is near geographic South.

Answer

Near geographic North, Earth behaves like a magnetic South pole; near geographic South, it behaves like a magnetic North pole.

Question 9

A mechanic’s steel screws keep falling from a screwdriver. Suggest a solution using what you learnt about magnets.

Steps only

Stroke the steel tip repeatedly in one direction with a magnet to magnetise it.

Answer

Magnetise the screwdriver tip by stroking it repeatedly in one direction with one pole of a magnet. Its tip can then hold the steel screws.

Question 10

Ring magnet X floats above ring magnet Y and does not move down. Why? How can X be brought into contact with Y without pushing either magnet?

Steps only

Like poles are repelling. Flip one ring magnet so unlike poles face and attract.

Answer

The facing sides are likely like poles, so they repel. Turn one magnet over so unlike poles face; they will attract and come together.

Question 11

Three bar magnets form the arrangement shown in the textbook figure. End 5 is North. Find the polarity at ends 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Steps only

1: N, 2: S, 3: N, 4: S, 6: S. Each magnet has opposite poles at its ends.

Answer

1 = N, 2 = S, 3 = N, 4 = S, 6 = S. Each magnet has opposite poles at its ends, and the facing poles in the arrangement are unlike.

Chapter Questions

Textbook pages 63–71

Question Concept check 1

Which materials are magnetic, and which are non-magnetic?

Steps only

Iron, nickel, cobalt, and many steels are magnetic; wood, plastic, rubber, glass, and paper are not.

Answer

Magnetic materials include iron, nickel, cobalt, and many steels. Wood, plastic, rubber, glass, and paper are non-magnetic.

Question Concept check 2

Where do iron filings collect most on a bar magnet?

Steps only

Mostly at the two ends (the poles).

Answer

They collect mostly at the two ends, called the poles.

Question Concept check 3

Can a magnet have only a North pole or only a South pole?

Steps only

No. Every piece has both North and South poles.

Answer

No. A magnet’s poles always occur in pairs. Each piece of a broken magnet has both a North and a South pole.

Question Concept check 4

How can we find the direction in which a freely suspended magnet rests?

Steps only

It settles north-south; use a compass or known directions to identify North.

Answer

A freely suspended magnet settles in the north-south direction. Identify north using a compass or your knowledge of the Sun’s direction.

Question Concept check 5

What happens when like or unlike poles of two magnets are brought close?

Steps only

Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.

Answer

Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.

Question Concept check 6

Does wood, cardboard, plastic, or glass stop the magnetic effect between a magnet and a compass?

Steps only

No. Magnetic effect passes through these thin non-magnetic materials.

Answer

No. A magnet’s effect can pass through thin non-magnetic materials such as wood, cardboard, plastic, and glass.

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