Fun with Magnets
Class 6 Science · Chapter 4: Exploring Magnets · NCERT Curiosity section 4.5
Learn
Magnets are hidden all around us: in fridge door seals, pencil boxes, speakers, earphones, toys, and the clasps of bags. Some cranes use huge magnets to lift scrap iron, and some trains (maglev) float above their track using magnets that repel.
Fun ideas: hide a magnet under a sheet of card and move a paper clip on top like magic; make a fishing game with clips on paper fish and a magnet on a string; make a compass needle float in water.
Take care of magnets: heating, hammering or dropping them makes them weak. Store bar magnets in pairs with unlike poles side by side and pieces of soft iron (keepers) across the ends. Keep magnets away from phones, computers, cards and TVs.
Explore: a magnet game.
- Which fish can your magnet fishing rod catch?
Remember
- Magnets are used in many everyday things, from pencil boxes to maglev trains.
- Store magnets in pairs with keepers; keep them away from heat and electronics.
Quick check
Which of these weakens a magnet?
- Heating or hammering it
- Storing it in pairs with keepers
- Keeping it in a box
- Keeping it dry
Answer
Heating or hammering it. Heat, hammering and dropping weaken magnets.
Think about it
Design a simple toy that uses the fact that like poles repel. How would it work?
One answer
Example: ring magnets on a pencil, placed with like poles facing, float one above the other. Pressing the top one down and letting go makes it bounce back up.
Practice
Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.