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Magnetism - Properties of Magnets

Grade 6ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

A magnet is a material that exerts a force of attraction on magnetic substances like Iron (FeFe), Cobalt (CoCo), and Nickel (NiNi).

Natural magnets are found in nature, such as Magnetite (Lodestone), which has the chemical composition Fe3O4Fe_3O_4.

Every magnet has two poles: the North Pole (NN) and the South Pole (SS). The magnetic strength is maximum at these poles.

The directive property states that a freely suspended magnet always aligns itself in the geographic North-South direction.

Magnetic poles always exist in pairs. Even if a magnet is broken into smaller pieces, each piece will have its own NN and SS poles; magnetic monopoles do not exist.

The Law of Magnetism: Like poles repel each other (NNN \leftrightarrow N or SSS \leftrightarrow S), and unlike poles attract each other (NSN \rightarrow \leftarrow S).

Magnetic Induction is the phenomenon where a non-magnetic material (like a soft iron bar) acquires magnetic properties temporarily when placed near a strong magnet.

📐Formulae

Fe3O4 (Chemical formula of Magnetite)Fe_3O_4 \text{ (Chemical formula of Magnetite)}

Like Poles=Repulsion\text{Like Poles} = \text{Repulsion}

Unlike Poles=Attraction\text{Unlike Poles} = \text{Attraction}

F1d2 (Magnetic force F decreases as distance d increases)F \propto \frac{1}{d^2} \text{ (Magnetic force } F \text{ decreases as distance } d \text{ increases)}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A student breaks a bar magnet into 33 smaller pieces. How many North poles and South poles will be present in total?

Solution:

There will be 33 North poles and 33 South poles (Total 66 poles).

Explanation:

According to the property that poles always exist in pairs, each piece becomes a complete magnet with one NN pole and one SS pole. Therefore, 3×2=63 \times 2 = 6 poles.

Problem 2:

Why does a magnetic compass needle always point in the North-South direction?

Solution:

This is due to the directive property of magnets and the Earth's magnetic field.

Explanation:

The Earth behaves like a giant bar magnet with its magnetic poles near the geographic poles. The NN pole of the compass needle is attracted to the Earth's magnetic south pole (located near geographic North), causing it to align NSN-S.

Problem 3:

If two magnets are placed such that their North poles are facing each other, what force will be observed?

Solution:

A force of repulsion (FrepulsionF_{repulsion}).

Explanation:

By the Law of Magnetism, like poles (NN and NN) repel each other.

Properties of Magnets - Revision Notes & Key Formulas | ICSE Class 6 Science