NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity: Chapter 4 — Exploring Magnets
This chapter, "Exploring Magnets," introduces students to the fascinating world of magnets. It begins with a story about sailors using magnetic compasses for navigation when stars are not visible. The chapter explains that magnets were initially based on naturally occurring lodestones and can now be made from iron as artificial magnets. Various shapes of magnets, such as bar, U-shaped, and ring magnets, are presented. The concept of magnetic and non-magnetic materials is explored through Activity 4.1, encouraging students to collect objects and test which ones stick to a magnet. This chapter aims to spark curiosity about magnets and their properties, laying the foundation for understanding their applications in navigation and everyday objects.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — Exploring Magnets |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 284 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical use of magnets in navigation.
- Differentiate between natural and artificial magnets.
- Identify different shapes of magnets.
- Distinguish between magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
- Conduct simple experiments to test magnetic properties of materials.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lodestones | Naturally occurring magnets. |
| Magnetic compass | A device used for finding directions using a magnet. |
| Artificial magnets | Magnets made from pieces of iron or other materials. |
| Bar magnet | A rectangular shaped magnet. |
| U-shaped magnet | A magnet shaped like the letter U. |
| Ring magnet | A magnet shaped like a ring. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What did sailors use to find directions in olden days? Answer: Sailors used stars to find directions at night, and magnetic compasses when stars were not visible.
- What are naturally occurring magnets called? Answer: Naturally occurring magnets are known as lodestones.
- Give examples of artificial magnets. Answer: Magnets used in pencil boxes, purses, writing boards, school laboratories, stickers, and toys are artificial magnets.
- Name three different shapes of magnets mentioned in the chapter. Answer: Bar magnet, U-shaped magnet, and Ring magnet.
- What is the purpose of Activity 4.1? Answer: Activity 4.1 is to explore and identify which objects made of different materials stick to a magnet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a magnetic compass?
A magnetic compass is a device that uses a magnet to help sailors and travellers find directions, especially when other navigation aids like stars are not visible.
What are lodestones?
Lodestones are naturally occurring magnets that were used by sailors in ancient times.
How are artificial magnets different from natural magnets?
Artificial magnets are man-made, often from pieces of iron, while natural magnets like lodestones occur in nature.
Can you name some common objects that contain magnets?
Yes, magnets are found in pencil boxes, purses, writing boards, stickers, and toys.
What is the main goal of Activity 4.1?
The main goal of Activity 4.1 is to observe and determine which materials are attracted to a magnet and which are not.
What are some shapes magnets can come in?
Magnets can come in various shapes, including bar, U-shaped, and ring shapes.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 4 — Exploring Magnets. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.