CBSE Class 6 · Science
Exploring Magnets
Official NCERT chapter from Curiosity (book code fecu1). ExamMaster notes are original teaching at CBSE Class 6 depth.
This lesson follows the official chapter “Exploring Magnets” in Curiosity. The words below are ExamMaster’s teaching, not a paste from the book. Use the NCERT chapter for the classroom sequence; use these notes to hold the idea without copying exercises or figures.
- CBSE Class 6
- Easy level
- 8 concepts
1Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials
A magnet-test is simple: does this object get pulled toward a magnet, or stay put? Pulled (when you did not push it) is magnetic at this class. Stay-put is non-magnetic.
Shiny is not the test. A shiny aluminium lid can fail the pull.
Figure. A magnet pulls iron. Wood does not move. The test is what happens, not the name of the object.
How it works
- Bring a magnet near the objectDo not shove the object onto it.
- Watch for a pull you did not makePass.
- If it sits still, call it non-magnetic for this testFail.
2Poles of a Magnet
The strongest pull on a bar magnet is at two ends. Those ends are the poles. The middle is weaker. “Pole” here is a place on the magnet, not a country.
Calling the whole bar “the north” without a test is a name, not a pole.
Figure. A bar has two poles. The pull is strongest at the ends and weaker in the middle. Poles come as a pair.
How it works
- Dip iron filings or paper clips if you have themOr hang the magnet freely.
- See where the pull gathersThe ends.
- Name those ends the polesKeep the middle weaker.
3Finding Directions
A freely turning magnet lines up roughly north–south. That is a direction-finder, not a map of every street.
A magnet glued to the table cannot find a direction.
Figure. A freely hung magnet turns until its north-seeking end points north. That is a direction finder, not a toy spin.
How it works
- Let a magnet turn freelyA hanging bar, or a compass.
- Wait until it settlesA direction.
- Read north–south from that settleNot from a wish.
4Attraction and Repulsion between Magnets
Two magnets can pull together or push apart. The push is as real as the pull. One magnet and a nail is only a pull if the nail is magnetic; two magnets can do both.
“Magnets always attract” misses the push.
Figure. Unlike poles pull. Like poles push. The test is what the pair does, not a single magnet alone.
How it works
- Bring like ends nearWatch for a push.
- Bring unlike ends nearWatch for a pull.
- Name both as magnet–magnet testsNot nail-only.
5Fun with Magnets
A game with magnets is still a test if you can say what you are checking: will this ring jump, will these two bars push. Fun without a question is play; fun with a question is this chapter.
A toy that hides the magnet is still using a magnet — name the hidden job.
Figure. A magnet lifts iron pins. A leaf stays. Fun is still the same test: what moves toward the magnet.
How it works
- Name the questionPush, pull, or turn.
- Run the tryOne change if you can.
- Write what happenedThe fun earned a record.
6Like poles push; unlike poles pull
If two ends that both seek north face each other, they push. If a north-seeking end faces a south-seeking end, they pull. Like means same job; unlike means opposite job.
Colour paint on a magnet is not a pole unless it matches a test.
Figure. N next to N pushes. N next to S pulls. The rule is about the facing ends, not the whole bar’s nickname.
How it works
- Identify each end’s job if you canNorth-seeking, or south-seeking.
- Same job facing same jobPush.
- Opposite jobs facingPull.
7A compass needle is a magnet that can turn
The needle is a small magnet on a pivot. It turns until its poles line up with Earth’s magnetic field. The painted end is a label; the turn is the test.
A drawing of a compass on a worksheet is not a needle that turned.
Figure. A compass needle is a small magnet on a pivot. It turns until its north-seeking end points north.
How it works
- See that the needle can turnA pivot.
- Let it settleA direction.
- Treat it as a magnet, not as a stickerThe turn is the evidence.
8A miss: treating every metal as magnetic
Iron, steel, and some nickel alloys pass the pull-test. Many metals — aluminium, copper, gold-coloured coins that are not iron — fail it. Metal is a family; magnetic is a test.
A metal spoon that is aluminium will sit still next to the magnet.
Figure. Iron is pulled. Aluminium and copper are metals and still are not. Metal is not the same word as magnetic.
How it works
- Ask “is it metal?”One fact.
- Run the magnet-test anywayThe science.
- If it is metal and does not pull, call the missMetal ≠ magnetic.
Aluminium foil near a fridge magnet usually
- Fails the pull-test — metal is not enough
- Must jump to the magnet
- Is a compass
Metal and magnetic are different tests.
Notes
- Mapped to the official NCERT chapter “Exploring Magnets”. Original teaching only — no textbook sentences.
- Science here is Physics, Chemistry and Biology ideas at this class, never a language or social-science chapter.
Recap
Hold these pegs from the official chapter “Exploring Magnets”. The wording is ExamMaster’s teaching, not a textbook recap.
- Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials
- A magnet-test is simple: does this object get pulled toward a magnet, or stay put? Pulled (when you did not push it) is magnetic at this class.
- Poles of a Magnet
- The strongest pull on a bar magnet is at two ends.
- Finding Directions
- A freely turning magnet lines up roughly north–south.
- Attraction and Repulsion between Magnets
- Two magnets can pull together or push apart.
- Fun with Magnets
- A game with magnets is still a test if you can say what you are checking: will this ring jump, will these two bars push.
- Like poles push; unlike poles pull
- If two ends that both seek north face each other, they push.
Practise Exploring Magnets
Reading is free and needs no account. Practice, mocks and progress live in the app.
- A 4-question practice set that ends the chapter
- 1 quick check with worked explanations
- Timed mocks scored with the real marking scheme
- Readiness tracked per topic, kept on your device