Extra 20 important long questions and answers from Chapter:13 Fun with Magnets of Class 6 Science (CBSE):-
1. What are the different types of magnets? Explain with examples.
Answer:
Magnets can be classified into two main types:
Natural Magnets:
Found in nature and have natural magnetic properties.
Example:
Lodestone (Magnetite)
.
Artificial Magnets:
Man-made magnets that come in different shapes.
Examples:
Bar magnet, Horseshoe magnet, U-shaped magnet, Ring magnet
.
Temporary Magnets:
Made by rubbing iron with a magnet or using electricity.
Example:
Electromagnets
used in cranes.
Permanent Magnets:
Retain their magnetism for a long time.
Example:
Bar magnets, Alnico magnets
.
Electromagnets:
Created by passing an electric current through a coil.
Example:
Electric bells, motors
.
2. Explain the properties of a magnet.
Answer:
Attractive Property:
Magnets attract iron, nickel, cobalt, and other magnetic materials.
Repulsion Property:
Like poles repel each other, and unlike poles attract each other.
Directive Property:
A freely suspended magnet always aligns itself in the
North-South direction
.
Magnetic Poles:
Every magnet has two poles—
North Pole and South Pole
.
Indivisibility:
If a magnet is broken into two pieces, each piece forms a new magnet with both poles.
Magnetic Field:
The region around a magnet where its effect is felt is called the
magnetic field
.
3. How do magnets lose their magnetism?
Answer:
Heating:
Excessive heat destroys the arrangement of magnetic domains, demagnetizing the magnet.
Hammering:
Striking a magnet repeatedly disrupts its magnetic alignment.
Dropping from a height:
Dropping a magnet weakens its internal structure, causing loss of magnetism.
Improper Storage:
If magnets are not stored with keepers (iron strips), they may lose their magnetism.
Electric Current:
Strong electric currents passing nearby can interfere with magnetic properties.
Rusting:
Rust formation on a magnet can weaken its magnetic force over time.
4. What are magnetic and non-magnetic materials? Give examples.
Answer:
Magnetic Materials:
These are materials that are attracted by a magnet.
Examples:
Iron, Nickel, Cobalt, Steel
.
Non-Magnetic Materials:
These materials are not attracted by a magnet.
Examples:
Wood, Plastic, Paper, Rubber, Copper,
Aluminium
.
Magnetic materials contain
domains
that align with a magnet’s field.
Non-magnetic materials lack such
domains
, so they do not respond to magnets.
Magnetic materials are used in making
electromagnets, transformers, and electric motors
.
Non-magnetic materials are used as
insulators in electrical appliances
.
5. What is a magnetic field? How can we see it?
Answer:
A
magnetic field
is the area around a magnet where its force is felt.
It is strongest near the
poles
of a magnet.
Magnetic fields can be
visualized using iron filings
sprinkled around a magnet.
The filings arrange themselves along
curved lines
, showing the shape of the field.
A
compass needle
placed near a magnet aligns with the field direction.
Magnetic fields are used in
MRI machines, electric motors, and generators
.
6. Explain the working of a magnetic compass.
Answer:
A
magnetic compass
is a device used to find directions.
It consists of a
magnetized needle
that is free to rotate.
The needle always aligns in the
North-South direction
due to Earth's magnetic field.
The compass is used in
navigation by sailors, pilots, and hikers
.
It works because the Earth acts like a
giant magnet
with a magnetic field.
Magnetic compasses are affected by nearby
electromagnets and iron objects
.
7. Why does Earth behave like a magnet?
Answer:
The Earth has a
molten iron core
, which creates a magnetic field.
This field extends into space and protects us from
solar radiation
.
The Earth's magnetic poles are
not exactly at the geographic poles
.
The
North Pole of a magnet points to the Earth's North
, which is actually a magnetic south pole.
This property allows
compasses to work
by aligning in the North-South direction.
Scientists use Earth's magnetism to study
continental drift and geological activities
.
8. How can you make a magnet at home?
Answer:
Take an
iron nail
and a
strong bar magnet
.
Rub the
magnet along the nail in one direction
about 20-30 times.
The nail will become a
temporary magnet
and attract iron filings.
This happens due to the
alignment of magnetic domains
in the iron nail.
The effect lasts for a short time unless
continuously magnetized
.
This process is called
magnetization by rubbing
.
9. What are the uses of magnets in daily life?
Answer:
Electric Motors
– Used in fans, washing machines, and refrigerators.
Magnetic Compass
– Used for navigation.
Electromagnets
– Used in cranes to lift heavy metal objects.
Speakers and Microphones
– Use magnets to produce sound.
Magnetic Locks
– Used in doors and cupboards.
Medical Uses
– MRI machines use strong magnets to scan the human body.
10. How are electromagnets different from permanent magnets?
Answer:
Feature |
Electromagnet |
Permanent Magnet |
---|---|---|
Made of |
Coil of wire around an iron core |
Iron, nickel, cobalt |
Magnetism |
Temporary, works only when current flows |
Permanent |
Strength |
Can be changed by increasing current |
Fixed strength |
Uses |
Electric bells, cranes, speakers |
Compasses, fridge magnets |
Electromagnets are
stronger and can be turned on/off
.
Permanent magnets are
always magnetic
but cannot be controlled.
Electromagnets are used in
electric motors and MRI machines
.
Permanent magnets are used in
fridge doors and loudspeakers
.
The
strength of an electromagnet
depends on the number of coils and current flow.
Electromagnets are used in
junkyard cranes to lift scrap metal
.
11. What happens when a magnet is broken into pieces?
Answer:
If a
bar magnet is broken
, each piece will still have a
North and South Pole
.
The
magnetic properties remain intact
in both pieces.
No matter how many times it is broken, a
single pole cannot be obtained
.
This proves that magnetic poles
always exist in pairs
.
The strength of each smaller magnet
reduces
compared to the original magnet.
Scientists believe that even
tiny atoms have magnetic properties
inside them.
12. What are the safety measures for storing magnets?
Answer:
Bar magnets
should be stored in pairs with their opposite poles facing each other.
A
piece of soft iron (keeper)
should be placed at both ends.
Magnets should be kept
away from heat
to avoid demagnetization.
Magnets should not be
dropped or hammered
, as it weakens their strength.
They should be stored
away from electronic devices
like mobile phones, computers, and TVs.
Horseshoe magnets should be stored
with a metal keeper across their poles
.
13. Explain how iron filings can show the shape of a magnetic field.
Answer:
Place a
bar magnet on a sheet of paper
.
Sprinkle
iron filings
around the magnet.
Gently tap the paper so the filings arrange themselves in a
pattern
.
The filings align along
curved lines
that show the
magnetic field lines
.
The lines are
denser at the poles
, showing that the field is stronger there.
This experiment helps visualize the
invisible magnetic field
.
14. Why do like poles repel and unlike poles attract?
Answer:
When two
like poles (N-N or S-S)
come close, their magnetic fields push each other away.
This is due to the
repelling force
between similar magnetic fields.
When
opposite poles (N-S)
come close, their magnetic fields combine and pull together.
This attraction happens because their field lines move in the
same direction
.
This property is called the
law of magnetic poles
.
It is used in real-world applications like
levitating trains (Maglev trains)
.
15. What are the differences between magnetic and non-magnetic materials?
Answer:
Property |
Magnetic Materials |
Non-Magnetic Materials |
---|---|---|
Example |
Iron, Nickel, Cobalt |
Wood, Plastic, Rubber |
Attraction by Magnet |
Yes |
No |
Magnetic Field Effect |
Gets magnetized |
No effect |
Used in |
Motors, speakers, electromagnets |
Insulators, plastic objects |
Magnetic materials have
aligned atomic magnetic domains
.
Non-magnetic materials have
randomly arranged atomic domains
.
Magnets are made using
ferromagnetic
materials like iron.
Gold, silver, and copper
are non-magnetic even though they are metals.
Magnetic materials are widely used in
electrical and industrial applications
.
Non-magnetic materials are used in
insulation and non-electronic applications
.
16. How does a Maglev train use magnets?
Answer:
Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) trains use
strong electromagnets
to float above the tracks.
The
repulsion and attraction
between magnets push the train forward.
Since the train
does not touch
the track,
friction is reduced
, allowing it to move faster.
Magnets are placed in both the
train and the track
for levitation.
This technology is
faster and quieter
than regular trains.
Examples:
Shanghai Maglev (China),
SCMaglev
(Japan)
.
17. What is an electromagnet? How does it work?
Answer:
An
electromagnet
is a temporary magnet created by
passing electricity
through a coil.
It is made by
wrapping a wire around an iron core
and connecting it to a battery.
When the
current flows
, the iron becomes magnetized.
The magnetism disappears when the
current is switched off
.
Electromagnets are used in
electric bells, cranes, and MRI machines
.
The strength of an electromagnet depends on the
number of coils and the current flow
.
18. Explain how magnets are used in an electric bell.
Answer:
When the
switch is pressed
, electricity flows through the
electromagnet
.
The electromagnet attracts a
metal strip (armature)
, causing the bell to ring.
As the armature moves, the
circuit breaks
, and the electromagnet loses its power.
The armature returns to its original position,
reconnecting the circuit
.
This process repeats quickly, producing a
continuous ringing sound
.
Electromagnets allow electric bells to work
efficiently and repeatedly
.
19. What is the difference between a bar magnet and a horseshoe magnet?
Answer:
Feature |
Bar Magnet |
Horseshoe Magnet |
---|---|---|
Shape |
Straight, rectangular |
U-shaped |
Magnetic Strength |
Moderate |
Stronger at the poles |
Field Lines |
Spread out evenly |
Focused at ends |
Common Uses |
Compasses, fridge magnets |
Motors, lifting objects |
Attraction Power |
Less concentrated |
More concentrated |
Horseshoe magnets have
higher strength
due to their curved shape.
Bar magnets have
uniform poles
and are commonly used in experiments.
Horseshoe magnets are used in
cranes and heavy lifting
.
Bar magnets are used in
compasses and science experiments
.
The field of a horseshoe magnet is
denser and more concentrated
at the poles.
Bar magnets are
easier to store and handle
.
20. What are some common uses of magnets in industries?
Answer:
Medical Industry:
Used in
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines
to scan internal organs.
Electronics:
Used in
TVs, speakers, and hard drives
for data storage.
Transportation:
Maglev trains
use powerful magnets for fast movement.
Scrap Industry:
Electromagnets help in
lifting heavy scrap metal
.
Power Generation:
Magnets are used in
electric generators and turbines
.
Security Systems:
Magnetic strips are used in
ATM cards and security locks
.