CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 13: Fun with Magnets NCERT Solutions

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CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 13, 'Fun with Magnets,' introduces the captivating realm of magnets. This chapter delves into the nature of magnets, exploring their shapes, properties, and how they interact with different materials. Students will learn to distinguish between magnetic materials, which are attracted to magnets, and non-magnetic materials. A key concept covered is that magnets possess poles, and they always align themselves in a North-South direction when allowed to move freely. The solutions also explain the fundamental principles of attraction and repulsion: like poles repel each other, while opposite poles attract. Furthermore, the historical significance of magnets, particularly their use in navigation, is highlighted. These NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to help students grasp these foundational ideas in magnetism, crucial for their science curriculum and future studies in physics.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectScience
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 13

Chapter summary

Chapter 13, "Fun with Magnets," for Class 6 Science focuses on introducing basic concepts of magnetism. The NCERT Solutions cover exercises on identifying magnetic and non-magnetic materials, understanding the poles of a magnet, and the principle of magnetic attraction and repulsion. It also touches upon the directional property of magnets and the historical use of magnets for finding directions. The solutions provide clear answers to fill-in-the-blanks, true/false statements, and application-based questions.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the different shapes of artificial magnets.
  • Identify magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
  • Explain the concept of poles of a magnet.
  • Describe the attraction and repulsion between magnetic poles.
  • Recognize the directional property of a magnet.
  • Understand the historical use of magnets for navigation.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Artificial Magnets
  • Shapes of Magnets
  • Magnetic Materials
  • Non-magnetic Materials
  • Poles of a Magnet
  • Attraction and Repulsion
  • Directional Property of Magnets
  • Historical Use of Magnets

Important topics

  • Magnetic vs. Non-magnetic Materials
  • Poles of a Magnet
  • Attraction and Repulsion
  • Directional Property

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Fill in the blanks in the following statements:

(i) Artificial magnets are made in different shapes such as _____, _____ and _____.

(ii) The materials which are attracted towards a magnet are called _____.

(iii) Paper is not a _____ material.

(iv) In olden days, sailors used to find direction by suspending a piece of _____.

(v) A magnet always has _____ poles.

Solution:

(i) Artificial magnets are commonly made in shapes like a bar magnet, a cylindrical magnet, and a horse-shoe magnet.

(ii) The materials that show an attraction towards a magnet are known as magnetic materials.

(iii) Paper is an example of a material that is not attracted to a magnet, making it a non-magnetic material.

(iv) Historically, sailors used a piece of a magnet (often a magnetized needle or bar) suspended freely to determine directions.

(v) Every magnet, regardless of its size or shape, inherently possesses two poles: a North pole and a South pole.

Question 2

State whether the following statements are true or false:

(i) A cylindrical magnet has only one pole.

(ii) Artificial magnets were discovered in Greece.

(iii) Similar poles of a magnet repel each other.

(iv) Maximum iron filings stick in the middle of a bar magnet when it is brought near them.

(v) Bar magnets always point towards North-South direction.

(vi) A compass can be used to find East-West direction at any place.

(vii) Rubber is a magnetic material.

Solution:

(i) False. A cylindrical magnet, like any other magnet, has two poles: a North pole and a South pole.

(ii) False. While ancient Greeks knew about naturally magnetic stones (lodestones), the systematic discovery and creation of artificial magnets are often associated with other regions and later periods.

(iii) True. When two North poles or two South poles are brought close together, they push each other away (repel).

(iv) False. Iron filings stick most strongly to the ends (poles) of a bar magnet, not the middle, because the magnetic field is strongest at the poles.

(v) True. When a bar magnet is allowed to rotate freely (e.g., suspended by a thread), it aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing approximately towards the geographic North and South directions.

(vi) True. A compass needle is a small magnet that aligns with the Earth's magnetic field. By knowing the North-South direction, one can determine the East-West direction as they are perpendicular to it.

(vii) False. Rubber is not attracted to a magnet and is therefore a non-magnetic material.

Question 3

It was observed that a pencil sharpener gets attracted by both the poles of a magnet although its body is made of plastic. Name a material that might have been used to make some part of it.
Solution: The pencil sharpener likely contains a small blade or a metal component made of an iron-based material. Since iron is a magnetic material, it gets attracted to the poles of a magnet, even if the outer casing is plastic. Therefore, iron (or steel, which is an alloy of iron) is the material that might have been used for a part of the pencil sharpener.

Question 4

Column I shows different positions in which one pole of a magnet is placed near that of the other. Column II indicates the resulting action between them for each situation. Fill in the blanks.

Column I | Column II

1. N ___ S

2. S ___ N

3. N ___ N

4. S ___ S

Possible Actions: Attraction, Repulsion

Solution: Here's the completed table showing the interaction between magnetic poles:

Column I | Column II

1. N Attraction S

2. S Attraction N

3. N Repulsion N

4. S Repulsion S

Explanation: Opposite poles (North and South) attract each other, while similar poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
  • Incorrectly stating that magnets have only one pole.
  • Assuming iron filings stick equally all over a bar magnet.
  • Misunderstanding the behavior of similar and opposite poles.

Revision tips

  • Review the definitions of magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
  • Memorize the properties of magnets, especially the two poles and their behavior.
  • Practice identifying which materials are attracted to magnets.
  • Understand how a compass works based on the Earth's magnetic field.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is an artificial magnet shape?

Q2. Materials attracted towards a magnet are called:

Q3. What happens when similar poles of two magnets are brought near each other?

Q4. Where do iron filings stick the most on a bar magnet?

Q5. A freely suspended bar magnet always points towards:

Frequently asked questions

What are the main concepts covered in Class 6 Science Chapter 13?

Chapter 13, 'Fun with Magnets,' covers the shapes of artificial magnets, magnetic and non-magnetic materials, the poles of a magnet, and the properties of attraction, repulsion, and the directional property.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to the chapter's exercises, helping students understand the concepts of magnetism and prepare effectively for their exams.

What is a magnetic material?

A magnetic material is a substance that is attracted towards a magnet. Examples include iron, nickel, and cobalt.

What are the poles of a magnet?

A magnet always has two poles, typically called the North pole and the South pole. These are the regions where the magnetic effect is strongest.

What is the difference between attraction and repulsion in magnets?

Opposite poles of magnets (North and South) attract each other, while similar poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other.

Why is a freely suspended magnet important for direction?

A freely suspended magnet aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, consistently pointing towards the North-South direction, which historically helped in navigation.

Important links

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