NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 04 Exploring Magnets

Question 1. Fill in the blanks
(i) Unlike poles of two magnets ________ each other, whereas like poles each other.
(ii) The materials that are attracted towards a magnet are called ________.
(iii) The needle of a magnetic compass rests along the ________ direction.
(iv) A magnet always has ________ poles.
Answer:
(i) attract; repel
(ii) magnetic materials
(iii) north-south
(iv) two
In simple words: Opposite poles pull toward each other, similar poles push away. Things that are drawn to a magnet are called magnetic materials. A compass needle points along the north-south line. Every magnet has exactly two poles.

Exam Tip: Remember the terms "attract" and "repel" - these are key vocabulary words examiners always test. Magnetic poles always come in pairs, never just one.

Question 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.
(ii) Similar poles of a magnet repel each other.
(iii) Iron filings mostly stick in the middle of a bar magnet when it is brought near them.
(iv) A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns with the north-south direction.
Answer:
(i) False
(ii) True
(iii) False
(iv) True
In simple words: Breaking a magnet always gives you two smaller magnets with their own poles - you can never get just one pole. Like poles push away from each other. The strongest pull happens at the ends, not the middle. A loose magnet will always turn to point north-south.

Exam Tip: These are fundamental facts about how magnets work - make sure to memorize them precisely as they appear frequently in exams. Pay special attention to why iron filings gather at the poles, not the middle.

Question 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.
Answer:

Exam Tip: This is the golden rule of magnetism - same poles repel, opposite poles attract. Always check whether the poles are identical or different when answering questions about magnetic forces.

Question 4. Atharv performed an experiment in which he took a bar magnet and rolled it over a heap of steel U-clips (Fig). According to you, which of the options given in Table 4.3 is likely to be his observation?
Answer: In Atharv's test, the bar magnet will draw the most U-clips at the poles (positions A and C) and the fewest at the middle (position B). The reason is that the magnetic pull is strongest at the poles and weakest at the middle.
Position A (North Pole): High attraction
Position B (Middle): Low attraction
Position C (South Pole): High attraction
So, the finding (i) 10, 2, 10 will be his finding.
In simple words: A magnet pulls hardest at its two ends and barely pulls at all near the center. This is why more clips stick at the poles than in the middle.

Exam Tip: Understand that magnetic force is not evenly spread - it focuses at the poles. This concept explains why magnets are most powerful at their ends and why iron filings form patterns around the pole areas.

Question 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 can figure out which bars are magnets by bringing each metal bar close to the other two bars one by one. The two magnets will either push or pull each other depending on their pole arrangement. If a bar pushes one bar and pulls another, it is a magnet. The one that only pulls and does not push is the piece of iron.
In simple words: Test each bar against the others. If it both pushes and pulls at different times, it is a magnet. If it only pulls with no pushing, it is just iron.

Exam Tip: This practical method relies on knowing that magnets have both repulsion (pushing) and attraction (pulling) properties, while plain iron only shows attraction. Examiners value answers that show you understand these properties work together to identify magnets.

Question 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: To find the poles of an unmarked magnet, bring one end of the marked magnet close to one end of the unmarked magnet. If they pull together, the unmarked magnet's end is the opposite pole (i.e., if the marked North pole draws it, then the unmarked end is South pole). If they push away, then the poles are alike.
In simple words: Use a magnet with known poles. If it pulls an end, that end is opposite. If it pushes, that end is the same type.

Exam Tip: This method uses the fundamental principle that opposite poles attract and like poles repel. When explaining this in an exam, always mention both attraction and repulsion to show complete understanding.

Question 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: Hold the magnet freely with a string. The end that points toward the north direction is the North pole of the magnet.
In simple words: Hang the magnet on a string and let it move freely. The end that faces north is the North pole.

Exam Tip: This uses Earth's own magnetic field - the most practical way to identify poles without another magnet. Remember that a freely suspended magnet always aligns with Earth's magnetic field.

Question 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: Yes, we can work out the poles of Earth's magnet by looking at where the magnetic compass points. The north-seeking end of the compass needle points toward the geographic North Pole of the Earth, which is actually the magnetic South pole of Earth's magnet.
In simple words: The compass needle's north end points to Earth's north, but that spot is actually Earth's magnetic south pole. The poles are opposite.

Exam Tip: This is a key insight - Earth's geographic poles and its magnetic poles do not match. The north-seeking end of a compass points to geographic north, but that is magnetically a south pole. This seeming contradiction confuses many students, so learn it clearly.

Question 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 magnetize the screwdriver by repeatedly stroking it with one pole of a magnet from one end to the other in a single direction. This will make the screwdriver magnetic and help grab and hold the steel screws.
In simple words: Rub a magnet along the screwdriver in one direction over and over. The screwdriver will become magnetic and hold the screws.

Exam Tip: This practical application shows that magnets can be made, not just found naturally. Always use one direction when magnetizing - rubbing back and forth cancels the effect. Examiners look for this detail in answers.

Question 10. Two ring magnets X and Y are arranged as shown in Fig. 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: The reason magnet X stays put and does not move down any further is because of magnetic repulsion. The matching poles (either both North or both South) of the ring magnets X and Y are facing one another, creating a repulsive force that stops X from moving toward Y.

To bring magnet X into contact with magnet Y without pushing either magnet, follow these steps: first, lift magnet X off the rod; next, flip magnet X upside down (which flips its poles around); then slide magnet X back onto the rod.

By flipping magnet X, the opposite poles of the two magnets will now face each other (one North and one South), which will cause an attractive force, allowing magnet X to move down and make contact with magnet Y.

This method uses the principle of magnetic attraction and repulsion to get the desired result without using any external force.
In simple words: Two same poles push each other apart. Turn one magnet upside down so the poles are now opposite. Then they will pull together and touch.

Exam Tip: A multi-step answer like this scores higher when you explain not just what to do, but also why each step works - show that you understand the magnetic forces at play, not just the mechanical movements.

Question 11. Three magnets are arranged on a table in the form of the shape shown in Figure. 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: Based on the figure shown and knowing that magnetic poles always come in pairs (North and South), we can work out the polarities at the ends:

Given: End 5 is North (N).

Knowing that the opposite end of a magnet is the opposite pole, the polarity at end 6, being the opposite end of 5, will be South (S).

Now, considering how the magnets are arranged:

The end 5 is North, and magnetically, the polarity flow is from North to South inside the magnet. So, the end connected to 5 (which is end 4) must be South.

Since magnet 3 is connected directly to end 4:
End 3 (opposite to end 4) will be North (N).
The end connected to 3 (which is end 2) will be South (S).

Finally, the polarities can be stated as follows:
• End 1: North (N)
• End 2: South (S)
• End 3: North (N)
• End 4: South (S)
• End 6: South (S)
In simple words: Poles always come in pairs - north and south. If one end is north, the opposite end must be south. Follow this rule around the whole chain to find all the poles.

Exam Tip: These arrangement questions test whether you understand that magnetic poles must come in pairs and that opposite poles connect magnets. Draw or visualize the arrangement clearly and trace the polarity from one known end through the entire chain - this prevents mistakes.