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What are the properties of a magnet?

Class 6 ScienceNCERT chapter: Exploring Magnetsइसे हिंदी में पढ़ें

Exam-ready answer

A magnet attracts magnetic materials such as iron, nickel and cobalt. Every magnet has two poles, a north pole and a south pole, and its attraction is strongest near the poles. A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the north-south direction. Like poles repel each other, while unlike poles attract each other.

Explanation

Bring a bar magnet near some pins, iron nails, a plastic scale, a pencil and a steel paper clip. Only the iron and steel objects stick to it. Materials that a magnet attracts, such as iron, nickel and cobalt, are called magnetic materials. Wood, plastic, paper, glass and rubber are not attracted, so they are called non-magnetic materials.

Now roll the bar magnet in iron filings. Most filings cling near its two ends and very few stick to the middle. These ends, where the attraction is strongest, are the poles of the magnet. Every magnet has two poles. Even if a magnet breaks into pieces, each piece again has a north pole and a south pole; a single pole never exists alone.

Hang a bar magnet from a thread so that it can turn freely. After swinging for a while, it always stops along the north-south line. The end that points north is its north pole. When two magnets are brought close, two north poles or two south poles push each other away, while a north and a south pole pull together. Repulsion is the surest test of a magnet.

Points to remember

  1. Magnetic materials: materials attracted by a magnet, such as iron, nickel and cobalt.
  2. Every magnet has two poles, north (N) and south (S); attraction is strongest at the poles.
  3. A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in the north-south direction.
  4. Like poles repel each other; unlike poles attract each other.
  5. Magnets lose their magnetism if they are heated, hammered or dropped often.

Exam tip

List the properties as separate numbered points and draw a bar magnet with its N and S poles marked. Write 'like poles repel, unlike poles attract' in exactly these words.

Questions students also ask

Which materials are attracted by a magnet?
Iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys such as steel are attracted by a magnet, so they are called magnetic materials. Wood, plastic, paper, glass, rubber, cloth and most other metals such as copper and aluminium are not attracted, so they are non-magnetic materials.
How can we find out whether an iron bar is a magnet?
Bring one end of the bar near each pole of a hanging magnet. A plain iron bar is attracted by both poles. If one end of the bar pushes a pole away, the bar is a magnet, because only like poles of two magnets repel each other.
How should magnets be stored safely?
Bar magnets should be kept in pairs with their unlike poles on the same side, separated by a piece of wood, with soft iron pieces placed across the ends. They should not be heated, hammered or dropped, and should be kept away from mobile phones and computers.

Chapter labels help you find the topic in your textbook. Check your own edition: chapter names and order can change. These are Know.it explanations, not official NCERT solutions.