Summary
Chapter 4 'Exploring Magnets' of NCERT Class 6 Science (Curiosity) introduces magnets, their poles, magnetic and non-magnetic materials, how a freely suspended magnet always points north-south, and the principles of attraction and repulsion between magnets.
This chapter explores the science of magnets starting from naturally occurring lodestones to modern artificial magnets of various shapes (bar, U-shaped, ring, disc, cylindrical). Students learn that magnetic materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt are attracted to magnets, while non-magnetic materials like wood, plastic, and glass are not. A key concept is that every magnet has exactly two poles — North and South — that always exist in pairs; breaking a magnet only creates smaller magnets, never a single pole. The chapter also explains how a freely suspended magnet always aligns north-south (because Earth behaves like a giant magnet), which is the principle behind the magnetic compass used for navigation. Students explore that like poles repel and unlike poles attract, and that magnetic force can pass through non-magnetic materials.
Key points & formulas
- 01Naturally occurring magnets are called lodestones; modern magnets used in labs, toys, and pencil boxes are artificial magnets.
- 02Magnetic materials (iron, nickel, cobalt) are attracted towards a magnet; non-magnetic materials (wood, plastic, glass, rubber) are not.
- 03Every magnet has two poles — the North pole and the South pole — located at its ends, where magnetic force is strongest.
- 04Magnetic poles always exist in pairs. Breaking a magnet into smaller pieces always produces smaller magnets, each with both a North and South pole — a single pole (monopole) cannot exist.
- 05A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest along the north-south direction because Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet.
- 06Like poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other; unlike poles (North-South) attract each other.
- 07A magnet is best identified by the property of repulsion — a plain iron bar is attracted by both poles of a magnet and cannot repel any pole.
- 08The magnetic compass uses a freely rotating magnetised needle to indicate the north-south direction, and is used to find all four directions.
- 09Magnetic force can act through non-magnetic materials such as wood, cardboard, plastic, and glass — placing them between a magnet and compass needle causes no appreciable change in deflection.
- 10Ancient Indian sailors used the matsya-yantra — a magnetised fish-shaped iron piece in a vessel of oil — for sea navigation.
Frequently asked questions
01What is Chapter 4 of Class 6 Science (Curiosity) about?
Chapter 4 'Exploring Magnets' covers magnets and their properties: magnetic and non-magnetic materials, the two poles of a magnet (North and South), why a freely suspended magnet always points north-south, how unlike poles attract and like poles repel, and how the magnetic compass works for finding directions.
02What are lodestones?
Lodestones are naturally occurring magnets discovered in ancient times. The magnets used by sailors in the olden days were based on lodestones. Later, people found that magnets could also be made from pieces of iron, and today magnets are made from different materials.
03What are magnetic and non-magnetic materials? Give examples.
Magnetic materials are attracted towards a magnet — examples are iron, nickel, and cobalt. Non-magnetic materials are not attracted towards a magnet — examples are wood, rubber, plastic, and glass.
04How many poles does a magnet have, and can you separate them by breaking the magnet?
Every magnet has exactly two poles — the North pole and the South pole. If a magnet is broken into smaller pieces, North and South poles always exist in pairs even in the smallest piece. A single North pole or South pole cannot exist — they cannot be separated.
05Why does a freely suspended magnet always point north-south?
A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest along the north-south direction because Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet. The end of the magnet that points towards geographic North is called the North pole (or North-seeking pole) of the magnet.
06What is the law of magnetic poles — when do magnets attract and when do they repel?
Like poles (North-North or South-South) of two magnets repel each other. Unlike poles (North-South) attract each other. This is the fundamental rule of magnetic interaction between two magnets.
07What is a magnetic compass and how is it used?
A magnetic compass is a small circular box with a transparent cover containing a magnetised needle on a pin, free to rotate. The needle rests in the north-south direction. To use it, place it on a surface, let the needle rest, then rotate the compass box until N and S on the dial align with the needle — all directions are then shown on the dial.
08How can you tell if a metal bar is a magnet or a plain iron bar?
Repulsion is the key test. A plain iron bar is attracted by both poles of a magnet. Only a magnet can repel the like pole of another magnet. Alternatively, a freely suspended magnet always rests in the north-south direction, while a plain iron bar can rest in any direction.
09Can magnetic force pass through non-magnetic materials like wood or glass?
Yes. The magnetic effect can act through non-magnetic materials. Placing wood, cardboard, plastic, or glass between a bar magnet and a compass needle causes no appreciable change in the deflection of the compass needle.
10What was the matsya-yantra used by ancient Indian sailors?
The matsya-yantra (also called machchh-yantra) was an ancient Indian navigation device. It consisted of a magnetised fish-shaped iron piece kept in a vessel of oil. It was used by Indian sailors for navigation at sea, much before the modern magnetic compass became widespread.
11How do you make a homemade magnetic compass at home?
Stroke an iron sewing needle with one pole of a bar magnet in the same direction at least 30 to 40 times. Pass the magnetised needle through a cork and float the cork in a glass bowl filled with water. The needle will rotate and come to rest pointing north-south — your homemade compass is ready.
12Is the NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 4 PDF free to download, and do I need to sign up?
Yes, the NCERT Class 6 Science (Curiosity) Chapter 4 PDF is available for free. No sign-up or account is required to download it from this website.
More chapters in Curiosity
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