Welcome to BodhiClasses, your go-to source for clear, concise, and curriculum-aligned Science solutions. In this post, we provide step-by-step, concept-based solutions to the exercises from Chapter 4 – Exploring Magnets from the NCERT Class 6 Science textbook. These answers are designed to enhance your understanding of magnetism and help you score better in exams.
1. Fill in the Blanks
(i) Unlike poles of two magnets attract each other, whereas like poles repel each other.
(ii) The materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials.
(iii) The needle of a magnetic compass rests along the north-south direction.
(iv) A magnet always has two poles.
2. State Whether the Following Statements Are True (T) or False (F)
(i) A magnet can be broken into pieces to obtain a single pole.
False – Poles always exist in pairs; even a broken piece will have both poles.
(ii) Similar poles of a magnet repel each other.
True – Like poles always repel.
(iii) Iron filings mostly stick in the middle of a bar magnet when it is brought near them.
False – They mostly stick at the poles (ends), not in the middle.
(iv) A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns with the north-south direction.
True – This is the basis of how a magnetic compass works.
3. Column I shows different positions in which one pole of a magnet is placed near that of the other. Column II indicates the resulting interaction between them for different situations. Fill in the blanks.
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| N – N | Repulsion |
| S – S | Repulsion |
| N – S | Attraction |
| S – N | Attraction |
Explanation:
- Like poles (N-N or S-S) repel each other.
- Unlike poles (N-S or S-N) attract each other.
4. Atharv performed an experiment in which he took a bar magnet and rolled it over a heap of steel U-clips.
According to you, which of the options given in Table 4.3 is likely to be his observation?
Correct Option: (i) 10, 2, 10
Reason:
Most clips stick to the ends (poles) of the bar magnet (positions A and C), and fewer in the middle (position B).
5. Reshma bought three identical metal bars from the market. Out of these bars, two were magnets and one was just a piece of iron. How will she identify which two amongst the three could be magnets (without using any other material)?
Answer:
Reshma should bring one bar close to the other two, one at a time. If repulsion occurs between any two bars, both are magnets because repulsion is a sure test for magnetism. Iron can be attracted, but only a magnet can repel another magnet.
6. You are given a magnet which does not have the poles marked. How can you find its poles with the help of another magnet which has its poles marked?
Answer:
- Suspend the unmarked magnet freely using a thread.
- Bring the known North pole of the marked magnet close to one end of the unmarked magnet.
- If attraction occurs, the end is South.
- If repulsion occurs, the end is also North.
- Repeat the process for both ends.
7. A bar magnet has no markings to indicate its poles. How would you find out near which end its North pole is located without using another magnet?
Answer:
Suspend the magnet freely with a thread and allow it to settle. The end that points toward the geographic North is the North-seeking pole (North pole). This method works because the Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet.
8. If the earth is itself a magnet, can you guess the poles of earth’s magnet by looking at the direction of the magnetic compass?
Answer:
The magnetic North pole of a compass needle points toward the geographic North, which means that the Earth’s magnetic South pole lies near the geographic North and vice versa. This happens because opposite poles attract.
9. While a mechanic was repairing a gadget using a screw driver, the steel screws kept falling down. Suggest a way to solve the problem of the mechanic on the basis of what you have learnt in this chapter.
Answer:
The mechanic can magnetise the screwdriver by rubbing it with a magnet several times in one direction. Once magnetised, the screwdriver can attract and hold the screws, preventing them from falling.
10. Two ring magnets X and Y are arranged as shown in Fig. 4.16. It is observed that the magnet X does not move down further. What could be the possible reason? Suggest a way to bring the magnet X in contact with magnet Y, without pushing either of the magnets.
Answer:
Magnet X is repelled by Magnet Y because like poles are facing each other.
Solution: Flip one of the magnets to bring unlike poles together, allowing them to attract and come in contact.
11. Three magnets are arranged on a table in the form of the shape shown in Fig. 4.17. What is the polarity, N or S, at the ends 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the magnets? Polarity of one end (5) is given for you.
Answer:
- End 5 is given as North.
- Assuming the magnets are aligned pole-to-pole, the polarities alternate:
- End 6 = South
- End 4 = North
- End 3 = South
- End 2 = North
- End 1 = South
This pattern follows the attraction between, unlike poles in a connected chain of magnets.
Conclusion
This chapter, Exploring Magnets, is a rich combination of scientific reasoning, observation-based learning, and real-world applications. From understanding how magnets work to creating a compass and solving practical problems, students build a strong foundational knowledge in physical science.
Stay tuned with BodhiClasses for more solved exercises, in-depth analysis, and interactive explanations that make learning effective and enjoyable.
