Exploring Magnets

Class 06 Science

The magnets used by sailors in the olden days were based on naturally occurring magnets, known as lodestones which were discovered in ancient times. Later on, people found out that magnets could also be made from pieces of iron.

Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials

The materials which are attracted towards a magnet are called magnetic materials. The metal iron is a magnetic material. Nickel and cobalt are other metals that are also magnetic.

The materials which are not attracted towards a magnet are called non-magnetic materials.

Poles of Magnet

Ends of the magnet are called the two poles of the magnet - the North pole and the South pole. Most of the iron filings stick with a to the poles of a magnet of any shape.

It is not possible to obtain a magnet with a single pole. If a magnet is broken into smaller pieces, North and South poles always exist in pairs even in the smallest piece of the magnet. A single North pole or a South pole cannot exist.

Finding Directions

A freely suspended magnet comes to rest along the north-south direction. The end of the magnet that points towards north direction is called the North pole of the magnet. The other end that points towards the South direction is called the South pole of the magnet. A freely suspended magnet rests along the north-south direction because the Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet.

The property of a freely suspended magnet to always rest along the north-south direction is used to find directions. Based on this, a small device called a magnetic compass was developed in olden days for finding directions. It has a magnet in the shape of a needle which can rotate freely. The needle of a magnetic compass indicates the north-south direction.

Attraction and Repulsion between Magnets

Unlike poles of two magnets, that is, the North pole of one magnet and the South pole of another magnet, attract each other. The like poles, that is, either the North poles or the South poles of both magnets, repel each other.

When the North pole of a magnet is brought closer to the North pole of the compass needle, it moves away. When the South pole of the magnet is brought closer to the North pole of the compass needle, it moves closer.