Exploring Magnets
Magnets can pull certain objects without even touching them. This Class 6 Curiosity chapter explores what magnets attract, their two poles, the rule for attraction and repulsion, how a magnetic compass points north–south, and the many everyday uses of magnets.
Learning objectives
- Distinguish magnetic from non-magnetic materials.
- Identify the poles of a magnet.
- State the rule of attraction and repulsion.
- Explain how a compass shows direction.
Key concepts
Magnetic and non-magnetic materials
A magnet attracts certain materials. Substances that are pulled by a magnet, such as iron, nickel and cobalt, are magnetic materials, while those that are not, such as wood, plastic, paper and rubber, are non-magnetic materials. Most everyday objects are non-magnetic.
Poles of a magnet
Every magnet has two ends where its pull is strongest, called poles — a north pole and a south pole. Iron filings cling most thickly at the poles. No matter how a magnet is broken, each piece still has both a north and a south pole.
Attraction and repulsion
Bring two magnets close and you find a simple rule: like poles repel (push apart) and unlike poles attract (pull together). So a north pole repels another north pole but attracts a south pole. This pushing and pulling acts even across a small gap.
Compass and Earth's magnetism
A freely hanging magnet always comes to rest pointing roughly north–south, because the Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet. A magnetic compass uses a small magnetic needle to point north, which is why it has long been used to find directions.
Key definitions
- Magnetic material
- A material attracted by a magnet, such as iron, nickel or cobalt.
- Pole
- An end of a magnet where its attracting power is strongest.
- Repulsion
- The pushing apart of two like magnetic poles.
- Magnetic compass
- A device with a magnetic needle that points north–south to show direction.
Solved examples
Q1. Is plastic a magnetic material?
Solution: No, plastic is non-magnetic; it is not attracted by a magnet.
Q2. What happens when two north poles are brought together?
Solution: They repel each other (like poles repel).
Q3. In which direction does a freely suspended magnet rest?
Solution: Roughly north–south.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thinking magnets attract all metals (they do not attract copper or aluminium).
- Believing a magnet has only one pole.
- Mixing up the rule: like poles repel, unlike poles attract.
- Assuming breaking a magnet removes one of its poles.
Exploring Magnets — MCQ Quiz
10 questions with instant feedback. Use number keys 1–4 to answer.
Which material is magnetic?
Practice questions
Short answer
Name two magnetic materials.
Iron and nickel (also cobalt).
State the rule of magnetic poles.
Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.
Why does a compass needle point north?
Because the Earth behaves like a magnet, aligning the needle north–south.
Long answer
Explain magnetic and non-magnetic materials and the poles of a magnet.
Materials that are attracted by a magnet are called magnetic materials, and the common ones are iron, nickel and cobalt. Materials not attracted by a magnet — such as wood, plastic, paper and rubber — are non-magnetic. Every magnet, whatever its shape, has two ends where its attracting power is strongest, called the north pole and the south pole. If you scatter iron filings near a magnet, they gather most thickly at these poles, and even if the magnet is broken into pieces, each piece still has both a north and a south pole.
Describe the rule of attraction and repulsion between magnets, and how a compass uses magnetism.
When two magnets are brought close, like poles (north–north or south–south) push each other away, which is repulsion, while unlike poles (north–south) pull together, which is attraction. This force acts even across a small gap. A magnetic compass makes use of magnetism in a different way: it contains a tiny magnetic needle that is free to turn, and because the Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet, the needle always settles pointing roughly north–south. This is why a compass has long been used by travellers to find directions.
HOTS (Higher Order Thinking)
You have two iron bars; one is a magnet and one is not. Using only the bars, how can you tell which is the magnet?
Bring an end of one bar near the middle of the other: a true magnet's middle has little pull, but if one bar's end repels part of the other, the repelling one must be the magnet (only a magnet can repel).
Why will a magnet not pick up a copper coin even though copper is a metal?
Because not all metals are magnetic; copper is a non-magnetic metal, so a magnet does not attract it.
Quick revision
Revision notes
- Magnetic materials: iron, nickel, cobalt; non-magnetic: wood, plastic, paper, rubber.
- Each magnet has a north and a south pole (strongest pull).
- Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.
- A freely suspended magnet/compass needle points north–south (Earth is a magnet).
Key takeaways
- Magnets attract only magnetic materials.
- Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.
- A compass points north because Earth acts like a magnet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a magnetic material?
A material attracted by a magnet, such as iron, nickel or cobalt.
Why do two magnets sometimes push apart?
Because like poles repel each other.
How does a compass show direction?
Its magnetic needle aligns north–south with the Earth's magnetism.