Exploring Magnets — Class 6 Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 6 Science chapter "Exploring Magnets" — 8 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 6 Science chapter "Exploring Magnets" — 8 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam pr…
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NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science — Exploring Magnets. Step-by-step answers to all 8 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
Exploring Magnets — All 8 Questions Solved
Q1. What is a magnet?
A magnet is a material that has the property of attracting iron and iron-containing materials. It has two poles: North and South.
Q2. What are magnetic poles?
Magnetic poles are the two ends of a magnet:
- North pole (repels other north poles, attracts south poles)
- South pole (repels other south poles, attracts north poles)
Q3. Explain the law of magnetic poles.
Like poles repel each other (north-north or south-south repel).
Unlike poles attract each other (north attracts south and vice versa).
Q4. What is the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials?
Magnetic materials are attracted to magnets and include iron, steel, nickel, cobalt.
Non-magnetic materials are not attracted to magnets and include wood, plastic, rubber, aluminum, glass.
Q5. What is a compass and how does it work?
A compass is a device with a magnetic needle that always points toward the Earth's magnetic North pole, helping us find directions.
Q6. What causes Earth to act like a magnet?
Earth acts like a magnet because it has a core made of molten iron and nickel. The movement of this molten metal creates Earth's magnetic field.
Q7. Name three uses of magnets in daily life.
Three uses are:
- In compass for navigation
- In electric motors and generators
- In door catches, refrigerator seals, and loudspeakers
Q8. Can magnets work through materials? Explain.
Yes, magnetic force can pass through most materials like paper, cloth, plastic, and water. This is why compass needles work even inside boxes.
Exploring Magnets — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. Where was the natural magnet (lodestone) first discovered?
- A. India
- B. China
- C. Magnesia
- D. Egypt
Answer: C. Magnesia — Natural magnets, also known as lodestones, were first discovered in a region of ancient Greece called Magnesia, which is how the term 'magnet' originated.
MCQ 2. Which of the following materials is attracted by a magnet?
- A. Wood
- B. Plastic
- C. Iron
- D. Paper
Answer: C. Iron — Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt are magnetic materials, meaning they are attracted by a magnet. Wood, plastic, and paper are non-magnetic.
MCQ 3. Where is the magnetic force the strongest in a bar magnet?
- A. At the center
- B. At the ends (poles)
- C. Uniformly distributed
- D. At the middle of one side
Answer: B. At the ends (poles) — The magnetic force of a bar magnet is concentrated and strongest at its two ends, which are called the magnetic poles.
MCQ 4. What happens when the North pole of one magnet is brought near the North pole of another magnet?
- A. They attract each other
- B. They repel each other
- C. Nothing happens
- D. They become demagnetized
Answer: B. They repel each other — Like poles of magnets (North-North or South-South) always repel each other, while unlike poles (North-South) attract each other.
MCQ 5. A freely suspended bar magnet always rests in which direction?
- A. East-West
- B. North-South
- C. North-East
- D. South-West
Answer: B. North-South — The directional property of a magnet states that a freely suspended magnet always aligns itself in the North-South direction. This property is used in magnetic compasses.
MCQ 6. What is the main principle behind the working of a magnetic compass?
- A. Magnetic attraction
- B. Magnetic repulsion
- C. Directional property of magnets
- D. Earth's gravity
Answer: C. Directional property of magnets — A magnetic compass works on the principle that a freely suspended magnet (the compass needle) aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing approximately North-South.
MCQ 7. Which of the following is an example of an artificial magnet?
- A. Lodestone
- B. Bar magnet
- C. Magnetite
- D. Pyrrhotite
Answer: B. Bar magnet — Lodestone, Magnetite, and Pyrrhotite are examples of natural magnets. Bar magnets are human-made, hence artificial magnets.
MCQ 8. If a bar magnet is broken into two pieces, what will happen to its poles?
- A. One piece will have only a North pole
- B. The other piece will have only a South pole
- C. Each piece will have both a North and a South pole
- D. Both pieces will lose their magnetism
Answer: C. Each piece will have both a North and a South pole — Magnetic poles always exist in pairs. Even if a magnet is broken into smaller pieces, each piece will act as a complete magnet with both a North and a South pole.
MCQ 9. Which of these actions can cause a magnet to lose its magnetic properties?
- A. Keeping it in a wooden box
- B. Stroking it gently with an iron nail
- C. Heating it strongly
- D. Storing it with keeper magnets
Answer: C. Heating it strongly — Magnets can lose their magnetism if they are heated strongly, hammered, or dropped from a height. Storing properly helps retain magnetism.
MCQ 10. To make a temporary magnet using the single touch method, you should rub a magnetic material with a magnet ________.
- A. back and forth continuously
- B. always in the same direction
- C. only on one side
- D. with a circular motion
Answer: B. always in the same direction — To magnetize an iron piece using the single touch method, rub it with one pole of a magnet repeatedly, always in the same direction, from one end to the other.
MCQ 11. Which of the following is a non-magnetic material?
- A. Steel
- B. Nickel
- C. Cobalt
- D. Copper
Answer: D. Copper — Iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt are magnetic materials. Copper is a non-magnetic material and is not attracted by magnets.
MCQ 12. Which of these is a naturally occurring magnet?
- A. Electromagnet
- B. Horseshoe magnet
- C. Bar magnet
- D. Lodestone
Answer: D. Lodestone — Lodestone is a naturally occurring magnet, also known as magnetite. Electromagnets, horseshoe magnets, and bar magnets are artificial magnets.
MCQ 13. Magnets are used in which of the following devices?
- A. Electric iron
- B. Bicycle pump
- C. Refrigerator door
- D. Wooden chair
Answer: C. Refrigerator door — Magnets are commonly used in refrigerator doors to keep them tightly closed. They are also found in speakers, electric motors, and toy cars.
MCQ 14. If you sprinkle iron filings around a bar magnet, where would you see the highest concentration of filings?
- A. Along the middle of the magnet
- B. Far away from the magnet
- C. At the poles of the magnet
- D. Evenly distributed around the magnet
Answer: C. At the poles of the magnet — Iron filings gather most densely at the poles of a magnet because the magnetic force is strongest there, demonstrating the magnetic field lines.
MCQ 15. To prevent demagnetization, how should bar magnets be stored?
- A. In a heap with other magnets
- B. By dropping them frequently
- C. With like poles facing each other
- D. In pairs with opposite poles facing each other, separated by a wooden piece, and with soft iron keepers
Answer: D. In pairs with opposite poles facing each other, separated by a wooden piece, and with soft iron keepers — Bar magnets should be stored in pairs with their opposite poles facing each other, separated by a wooden piece, and with two soft iron pieces (keepers) across their ends to maintain their magnetism.
MCQ 16. Which material is NOT attracted by a magnet?
- A. Iron
- B. Nickel
- C. Wood
- D. Cobalt
Answer: C. Wood — Magnetic materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt are attracted to magnets. Wood is a non-magnetic material and is not attracted.
MCQ 17. What is the name given to the natural magnet discovered by the shepherd Magnes?
- A. Magnetite
- B. Lodestone
- C. Iron ore
- D. Ferrite
Answer: B. Lodestone — The natural magnet discovered by Magnes was a rock called Lodestone, which is a naturally occurring form of magnetite.
MCQ 18. Where is the magnetic force the strongest on a bar magnet?
- A. At its center
- B. At its poles
- C. Along its sides
- D. Everywhere equally
Answer: B. At its poles — The magnetic force of a magnet is concentrated and strongest at its ends, which are called the poles.
MCQ 19. Which of these is a common use of a magnetic compass?
- A. Measuring temperature
- B. Finding directions
- C. Weighing objects
- D. Telling time
Answer: B. Finding directions — A magnetic compass is primarily used for finding geographical directions, as its needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field.
MCQ 20. A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns itself in which direction?
- A. East-West
- B. North-South
- C. North-East
- D. South-West
Answer: B. North-South — Due to the Earth's magnetic field, a freely suspended magnet will always come to rest pointing in the North-South direction.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.