Worksheet 13: Class 6 Science - Fun with Magnets

Welcome! This worksheet will help you understand the fascinating properties of magnets. We will learn about the discovery of magnets, their poles, and how they can attract or repel objects. Let's explore the fun world of magnetism!

The World of Magnets

The story of magnets began in ancient Greece with a shepherd named Magnes. He discovered that the iron tip of his stick was attracted to a rock, which was a natural magnet called magnetite. Magnets attract materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel. These are called **magnetic materials**.

A magnet's power is strongest at its ends, called the **poles**. Every magnet has two poles: a **North pole** and a **South pole**. If you bring the North pole of one magnet near the North pole of another, they will push each other away. This is called **repulsion**. If you bring a North pole and a South pole together, they will pull towards each other. This is called **attraction**. Remember: **Like poles repel, and unlike poles attract.**

A freely suspended magnet always rests in the North-South direction. This property is used to make a **compass**, a device that helps us find directions. Magnets can lose their properties if they are heated, hammered, or dropped from a height.

Practice Questions

1. Fill in the blank: The two ends of a magnet where its magnetic force is the strongest are called _____.

Poles

2. True or False: Two North poles will attract each other.

False. Like poles repel each other, so two North poles will push each other away.

3. Match the material to its category:

(a) A plastic spoon (i) Magnetic

(b) An iron nail (ii) Non-magnetic

(c) A paper clip (iii) Non-magnetic

(d) A piece of wood (iv) Magnetic

a - ii, b - iv, c - i, d - iii

4. What is the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials?

**Magnetic materials** are attracted by a magnet (e.g., iron), while **non-magnetic materials** are not (e.g., plastic).

5. Fill in the blank: A freely suspended magnet always points in the _____ direction.

North-South

6. How can a magnet lose its properties?

A magnet can lose its magnetic properties if it is heated, hammered, or dropped from a height.

7. Name the two poles of a magnet.

North pole and South pole.

8. What is the difference between attraction and repulsion in magnets?

**Attraction** is the force that pulls two unlike poles (North and South) together. **Repulsion** is the force that pushes two like poles (North and North, or South and South) away from each other.