Test: Fun with Magnets - Class 6 MCQ

Magnetism is the force exerted by magnets when they attract or repel each other. Magnetism is caused by the motion of electric charges.

- Iron filings, steel, and magnets are magnetic substances.
- They are either ferromagnetic or have the capacity to be magnetized or influenced by a magnetic field.
- Silver is not a magnetic substance.

A lodestone is a naturally magnetized piece of the mineral magnetite. They are naturally occurring magnets, which can attract iron. The property of magnetism was first discovered in antiquity through lodestones.

Magnet was first discovered about 5000 years ago in the rocks of magnesia.

Roughly 4,000 years ago, a Greek shepherd named Magnes is said to have been tending his sheep in a region of northern Greece called Magnesia. He took a step and suddenly found that the nails that held his shoe together and the metal tip of his staff were stuck fast to the rock he was standing on! Intrigued, he began digging and discovered the first recorded lodestone. Lodestones were henceforth known as “magnetite,” probably named after Magnes or Magnesia.

A horseshoe magnet is a magnet made in the shape of a horseshoe. At the ends of its legs, the magnet has two magnetic poles close together. This shape creates a strong magnetic field between the poles.

Fig: Horseshoe Magnet 

Magnets attract iron due to the influence of their magnetic field upon the iron. When exposed to the magnetic field, the atoms begin to align their electrons with the flow of the magnetic field, which makes the iron magnetized as well. This, in turn, creates an attraction between the two magnetized objects.

The magnetic pole near earth's geographic north pole is actually the south magnetic pole. When it comes to magnets, opposites attract. This fact means that the north end of a magnet in a compass is attracted towards the south magnetic pole, which lies close to the geographic north pole.

The magnetic field of a bar magnet (for example) is strongest at either pole of the magnet. The force is weaker in the middle of the magnet and halfway between the pole and the center. If you sprinkle iron filings on piece of paper and place the magnet beneath it, you could see the path of the magnetic field lines.

Common pin is made of iron so, it a magnetic material.