Magnets do have a lot of utility in our lives. It has a lot of use of it in factories and decreases human effort by a huge margin. Magnets are the gift of nature which help our civilization to develop and reach new heights.

Types of Magnets

There are two types of magnets:

  • NATURAL MAGNETS: These magnets are available in nature. Example: Magnetite, Hematite and many any iron-containing rocks.
  • ARTIFICIAL MAGNETS: These magnets are not available in nature and made artificially by human beings. Example: Bar magnet, Horse-shoe magnet and the ball ended magnet.

Types of Materials

Science Class 6 Fun with Magnets Types of materials

Examples

  • Cobalt

Science Class 6 Fun with Magnets cobalt

Science Class 6 Fun with Magnets non meganetic material

Poles of a Magnet

Suppose we keep many magnetic materials near a magnet. We will observe that most of the iron filings will be attracted towards the two ends of a bar magnet. These ends are addressed as the poles of the magnet. Then we can try and bring a few magnets of different shapes and check for the location of the poles on these magnets with the iron filings.

Properties of Magnets

  • Magnets have two poles- the North Pole and the South Pole. The magnetic substances are more attracted to the poles than the other parts of the magnet.
  • We can get the directions of the compass with the help of the magnet.
  • When we hang a magnet freely, its  South Pole is always towards the Earth’s North Pole.
  • We can make a magnet by rubbing it against a magnet.
  • We can even make a magnet by putting an iron bar’s side near the poles of the magnet.
  • We can even make a magnet by passing electricity through an iron bar.

Recap

  • There are two types of magnets-natural and artificial.
  • Natural magnets are those magnets which are available in nature.
  • Artificial Magnets are those magnets which are made by human beings.
  • Magnets have two poles- the North Pole and the South Pole. The magnetic substances are more attracted to the poles than the other parts of the magnet.
  • When we hang a magnet freely, its South Pole is always towards the Earth’s North Pole.
  • We can make a magnet by rubbing it against a magnet.
  • We can even make a magnet by putting an iron bar’s side near the poles of the magnet.
  • We can even make a magnet by passing electricity through an iron bar.