Science Class 6 Important Questions Chapter 4 Curiosity

Exploring Magnets

True / False

1. A magnet can have only one pole.  False

2. The North pole of a magnet attracts the South pole of another magnet.  True

3. All metals are magnetic materials.  False

4. A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns with the North-South direction.  True

5. Like poles of two magnets repel each other.  True

6. A wooden block can be attracted by a magnet.  False

7. Iron filings mostly stick to the middle of a bar magnet.  False

8. A magnetic compass needle points in the East-West direction.  False

9. Dropping or heating a magnet can destroy its magnetism.  True

10. The magnetic effect can pass through non-magnetic materials like wood or glass.  True

Fill in the Blanks:

Unlike poles of two magnets _______ each other.

• • attract

The materials that are attracted to a magnet are called _______ materials.

• • magnetic

A magnet always has two poles, the North pole and the _______ pole.

• • South

The _______ pole of a magnet points towards the Earth’s geographic North.

• • North

Materials that are not attracted to a magnet are called _______ materials.

• • non-magnetic

The force of attraction is strongest at the _______ of a magnet.

• • poles

A magnetic compass is used to find _______.

• • directions

A magnet made from iron is called an _______ magnet.

• • artificial

When like poles of two magnets are brought close to each other, they _______.

• • repel

A freely suspended magnet always rests in the _______ direction.

• • North-South

Question / Answers

1. What are magnetic materials?

Ans. Materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials. Example: Iron, nickel, cobalt.

2. What are non-magnetic materials?

Ans. Materials that are not attracted to magnets are called non-magnetic materials. Example: Plastic, wood.

3. What are the poles of a magnet?

Ans. A magnet has two poles: the North pole and the South pole. Most magnetic force is concentrated at these poles.

4. Can a magnet have only one pole?

Ans. No, even if a magnet is broken into pieces, each piece will have both a North and a South pole.

5. What is a magnetic compass used for?

Ans. A magnetic compass is used for finding directions. It has a magnetized needle that points towards the North-South direction.

6. Why does a freely suspended magnet always point in the North-South direction?

Ans. A magnet aligns itself along the Earth’s magnetic field, which behaves like a giant magnet.

7. What happens when like poles of two magnets are brought close to each other?

Ans. Like poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other.

8. What happens when unlike poles of two magnets are brought close to each other?

Ans. Unlike poles (North-South) attract each other.

9. How can you make an iron needle a magnet?

Ans. By rubbing a magnet along the length of the needle multiple times in one direction, the needle can become magnetized.

10. What is the purpose of a magnetic compass?

Ans. It helps to find the direction, as the needle always aligns with the Earth’s North-South direction.

11. How does heating or hammering affect a magnet?

Ans. Heating or hammering a magnet can destroy its magnetic properties.

12. How can you identify a magnet if it has no poles marked?

Ans. Suspend the magnet freely. The end that points towards the Earth’s North is the North pole of the magnet.

13. What is the difference between a natural magnet and an artificial magnet?

Ans. A natural magnet, like lodestone, occurs naturally, while artificial magnets are man-made, using materials like iron.

14. How can magnets be used to find directions at sea?

Ans. Sailors use a magnetic compass, which always points North-South, to navigate even when stars are not visible.

15. What is the Matsya-yantra?

Ans. It is an ancient Indian navigation tool made of a magnetized fish-shaped iron piece floating in oil, used to find directions.