Chapter: Electricity and Magnetism

Conceptual Questions:
• What is a magnet? Name different types of magnets.
A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field, which attracts magnetic materials like
iron, nickel, and cobalt. Magnets can be natural (e.g., magnetite) or artificial (e.g., bar magnet,
horseshoe magnet).
• What are magnetic and non-magnetic materials?
Magnetic Materials: These are attracted to magnets and can become magnets themselves (e.g.,
iron, cobalt, nickel).
Non-Magnetic Materials: These are not attracted to magnets (e.g., wood, plastic).
• What are the properties of a magnet? Explain each property with examples.
Polarity: Magnets have two poles, north and south.
Attractive Property: Magnets attract magnetic materials.
Repulsive Property: Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.
Directional Property: Freely suspended magnets align in the north-south direction.
Induced Magnetism: Magnetic materials become temporary magnets when in contact with a
magnet.
• What happens if a bar magnet is freely suspended? Why? / Suspend a bar magnet freely. Which
direction does it align itself with? Explain the reason.
When suspended freely, a bar magnet aligns itself along the north-south direction due to Earth's
magnetic field.
Reason: This happens because Earth has a magnetic field, acting like a giant bar magnet and the bar
magnet and the magnet aligns with it, causing its north pole to point toward the Earth's magnetic north
pole and its south pole toward the Earth's magnetic south pole.
• What happens if a freely suspended bar magnet is disturbed?
The magnet will realign itself in the north-south direction due to Earth's magnetic field. The magnet
aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, which acts like a giant bar magnet.
• What is the significance of the directional property of magnets in navigation?
A freely suspended magnet aligns in the north-south direction, helping sailors and travellers determine
directions.
• What is a magnetic compass, and how does it work?
A magnetic compass is a device with a freely moving magnetic needle. The needle aligns with Earth’s
magnetic field, always pointing toward north-south direction, helping to find directions.
o Used for navigation.
• When a compass is brought near a bar magnet, how does the needle behave?
The compass needle aligns along the magnetic field lines of the bar magnet, pointing towards the poles.
• What is the Earth's magnetic field?
Earth's core generates a magnetic field, making it act like a giant bar magnet.
• What are artificial magnets?
Artificial magnets are man-made magnets that are shaped and magnetized for specific purposes.
• What are the different types of artificial magnets? Give examples.
Bar Magnet: Straight magnetized bar.
Horseshoe Magnet: U-shaped for concentrated magnetic fields.
Electromagnet: Magnetized iron core with a coil of wire.
• What is the neutral point in a magnetic field?
The neutral point is the region where the magnetic field of a magnet cancels out the Earth's magnetic
field. There is no resultant magnetic field in this area.
• What are bar magnet keepers, and why are they important?
Bar magnet keepers are pieces of soft iron placed across the poles of a magnet when it is not in use.
Purpose: They prevent the loss of magnetic strength by providing a closed path for magnetic field lines.
• Explain the difference between natural and artificial magnets.

• What are magnetic poles?

Magnetic poles are the two regions at the ends of a magnet where the magnetic force is the strongest.
These are the points where magnetic field lines converge or diverge.
• State the laws of magnetic poles.
Like poles repel, and unlike poles attract.
• What are the single touch and double touch methods of magnetization?
o Single Touch: A bar magnet is rubbed along the length of an iron piece repeatedly in one
direction to magnetize it.
o Double Touch: Two bar magnets are used, and they are moved simultaneously from the center
to the ends of the iron piece, magnetizing it more quickly.
• What precautions should you take when using a magnetic compass?
1. Keep it away from magnets or magnetic materials to avoid interference.
2. Handle it gently to prevent damage to the needle.
3. Store it in a dry place to avoid rust.
• What is a magnetic needle? How does it work?
A magnetic needle is a small magnet that aligns itself along the Earth's magnetic field, pointing north-
south. It is used in compasses for navigation.
• Why should a magnetic compass not be kept in a magnetic case?
If kept in a magnetic case, the needle will be attracted to the case instead of aligning with the Earth's
magnetic field, making it unreliable for navigation.
• How can you magnetize an iron nail?
o Single-Touch Method: Rub a bar magnet along the nail in one direction repeatedly.
o Electromagnetic Method: Wrap a coil of wire around the nail and pass current through it.
• What happens when a magnet is heated or hammered?
The alignment of magnetic domains is disturbed, and the magnet loses its magnetism.
• What are the methods to demagnetize a magnet?
Heating, hammering, or placing the magnet in an alternating magnetic field.
• How can you properly store a bar magnet?
Store with opposite poles facing each other, separated by a wooden block, with soft iron keepers at the
ends.
Magnetic Materials
• How can you classify materials as magnetic or non-magnetic using a bar magnet?
Bring the bar magnet close to the objects. If the object is attracted, it is magnetic (e.g., steel nail). If
there is no attraction, it is non-magnetic (e.g., wood).
• Why does a bar magnet attract iron filings but not plastic?
Iron filings are magnetic and respond to the magnetic field of the bar magnet. Plastic is non-magnetic
and does not interact with the magnetic field.
• Why do coins made of steel stick to a magnet but aluminum coins do not?
Steel contains iron, which is magnetic, while aluminum is a non-magnetic material.
• What happens when a magnet is brought near a wooden object? Explain your observation.
Nothing happens because wood is a non-magnetic material and does not interact with the magnetic
field.
• What types of materials are attracted to a magnet?
Materials made of iron, nickel, or cobalt are attracted to a magnet.
• Why are erasers and glass not attracted to magnets?
Erasers and glass are non-magnetic materials and do not contain iron, nickel, or cobalt.
• What happens when you pass a magnet through sand mixed with iron filings?
The magnet attracts only the iron filings, leaving the sand behind.
Properties of Magnets
• What will you observe when like poles of two magnets are brought close? What about unlike poles?
Like poles repel each other, and unlike poles attract. This is because of the nature of magnetic fields,
which push away similar poles and pull opposite poles together.
• Why do broken magnets always form new poles?
Each piece of the broken magnet realigns its magnetic domains to form its own north and south poles,
as magnetic poles cannot exist in isolation.
• Can you separate the poles of a magnet by breaking it into two pieces?
No, each piece will have its own north and south poles because magnetic poles always exist in pairs.
• What happens if a bar magnet is broken into two pieces?
Each piece becomes a smaller magnet with its own north and south poles.
Reason: The magnetic domains within the magnet realign, ensuring both parts retain their magnetic
properties.
• Why is the magnetic force strongest at the poles of a magnet?
The magnetic field lines converge at the poles, resulting in the strongest magnetic force in these
regions.
• What happens when like poles of two magnets are brought close together?
Like poles repel each other.
• What happens when unlike poles of two magnets are brought close together?
Unlike poles attract each other.
• How does a compass behave when placed near a bar magnet?
The compass needle aligns with the magnetic field of the bar magnet, pointing toward its poles.
Magnetic Field
• What are magnetic field lines? How are they represented?
Imaginary lines showing the direction and strength of a magnetic field.
They originate from the north pole and end at the south pole.
• What happens to the magnetic field lines when like poles of two magnets are placed close together?
The field lines repel each other.
• What happens to the magnetic field lines when unlike poles of two magnets are placed close
together?
The field lines attract and join together.
• What do iron filings show about the magnetic field around a bar magnet?
They align along curved lines connecting the north and south poles, showing the direction and strength
of the magnetic field.
• What happens when unlike poles of two magnets are placed together in an iron filings experiment?
The field lines of the two poles join together, showing attraction, and the filings cluster densely in the
region between the poles.
• What happens to the field lines when two magnets with like poles face each other?
The field lines repel each other. Like poles produce opposing magnetic forces, causing the field lines to
push away from each other.
• What do you observe when you sprinkle iron filings around a bar magnet and tap the surface lightly?
o The filings arrange themselves into curved lines, denser at the poles and thinner at the centre.
o This pattern represents the magnetic field lines, showing the direction and strength of the
magnetic force. Most of the iron filings cling to the poles of the magnet, because the lines are
closer at the poles, where the magnetic force is the strongest.
• Why are magnetic field lines denser near the poles?
The magnetic force is strongest at the poles, which causes more field lines to converge in these areas.
• Why is the strength of a magnet maximum at its poles?
The magnetic field lines are densest at the poles, concentrating the magnetic force.
• What do you observe about the magnetic field lines of a bar magnet?
The lines form closed curves, are denser at the poles, and never intersect.
• Why do magnetic field lines never intersect?
• If they intersect, it would mean the magnetic field has two directions at the same point, which is not
possible.
Electromagnets
• What is an electromagnet and how is it made?
An electromagnet is a type of temporary magnet created by passing an electric current through a coil of
wire wound around a magnetic material like a soft iron core. When the current flows, the iron core
becomes magnetized.
Uses:
o Lifting heavy metal objects in scrapyards
o Magnetic locks in doors
• How can you increase the strength of an electromagnet?
1. Increase the number of turns in the coil.
2. Increase the electric current passing through the coil.
3. Use a better magnetic material for the core, e.g. steel.
• What happens to an electromagnet when the current is switched off?
It loses its magnetic properties.
• Why do electromagnets lose their magnetic properties when the current is switched off?
 The magnetic field in an electromagnet is generated by electric current. When the current stops, the
field disappears.
• Mention two uses of an electromagnet in daily life.
o Cranes: To lift heavy metallic objects in scrap yards.
o Electric bells: To produce sound by magnetically pulling the hammer.
• Why is soft iron used as the core of an electromagnet instead of steel?
Soft iron is used because it is magnetized quickly when current flows through the coil and loses its
magnetism just as quickly when the current is switched off. Thus, soft iron becomes a magnet only when
current flows, making it easy to turn the magnetic force on and off, making it ideal for temporary magnetic
applications.
• What happens when the direction of current in an electromagnet is reversed?
The polarity of the electromagnet reverses; the north pole becomes the south pole and vice versa.
• How is the polarity of an electromagnet affected by the direction of current?
The polarity of the electromagnet reverses when the direction of the current is reversed.
• What happens when you increase the number of turns in the coil of an electromagnet?
More turns increase the magnetic field strength, making the electromagnet more powerful. The
strength of the electromagnet increases because of this stronger magnetic field.
• Why are electromagnets used in electric cranes instead of permanent magnets?
Electromagnets can be switched on and off, offering better control.
• What happens to the strength of an electromagnet if you use more batteries?
The strength increases because more current flows through the coil.
• What do you observe when a magnetic compass is placed near an electromagnet?
The compass needle deflects, showing the magnetic field created by the current.
• What is the role of the core in an electromagnet?
The core enhances the strength of the magnetic field.
• What happens if the core of an electromagnet is replaced with a plastic rod?
The magnetic strength decreases significantly because plastic is non-magnetic.
• How are electromagnets used in cranes to lift heavy objects?
The electromagnet attracts magnetic materials like iron and steel when current flows through it,
enabling the crane to lift and move heavy objects.
• How can you make a simple electromagnet?
Wrap a copper wire around an iron nail and connect the wire ends to a battery.
• Name two ways an electromagnet is different from a permanent magnet.
o Electromagnets can be switched on and off, while permanent magnets always remain magnetized.
o The strength of an electromagnet can be controlled, but the strength of a permanent magnet
cannot.
• What do you observe when you use a longer wire to make an electromagnet?
The strength of the electromagnet increases because the longer wire creates more turns in the coil.
• What happens if you replace the soft iron core in an electromagnet with a plastic rod?
The magnetic strength decreases significantly because plastic is not a magnetic material.
• When you bring a paperclip close to an electromagnet connected to a weak battery, what happens?
The paperclip may not stick to the electromagnet because the weak battery produces insufficient
current.
• How are electromagnets used in a loudspeaker?
• A coil in the loudspeaker acts as an electromagnet.
• When electric current flows through the coil, it creates a magnetic field.
• The interaction of this field with a permanent magnet causes vibrations, which produce sound.
• What are the advantages of using an electromagnet in devices like a doorbell?
Its magnetism can be turned on and off easily. When the doorbell switch is pressed, the current
flows and the electromagnet turns on. When current flows, the electromagnet attracts a hammer,
which strikes the bell to produce sound and the bell rings. When the switch is released, the
magnetism turns off and the ringing stops.
• List two industries where electromagnets are used.
In hospitals for MRI machines, In scrapyards to lift heavy metallic objects
• Why are electromagnets used in electric cranes?
They can be switched on to lift heavy objects and switched off to release them.
• What are the advantages of using an electromagnet over a permanent magnet?
Electromagnets can be turned on or off, and their strength can be adjusted by controlling the
current.
• What is a neutral pole?
A neutral pole refers to the middle region of a magnet where the magnetic force is weakest.
• What is the difference between a permanent magnet and a temporary magnet?
Permanent Magnet:
• Retains its magnetic properties for a long time.
• Made of materials like steel or certain alloys (e.g., alnico).
• Examples: Bar magnets, horseshoe magnets.
• Used in devices like compasses, loudspeakers, and microphones.
Temporary Magnet:
• Loses its magnetism when the magnetizing field is removed.
• Made of soft magnetic materials like soft iron.
• Examples: Electromagnets.
 • Used in devices like electric bells, cranes, and transformers.
• How would you locate the poles of a bar magnet?
o Place the bar magnet on a table and sprinkle iron filings around it. The filings will cluster more
densely at the ends of the magnet, indicating the poles.
o Alternatively, suspend the bar magnet freely using a thread. The end pointing toward Earth's
geographic north is the north pole, and the opposite end is the south pole.
• How would you demonstrate the attractive and repulsive properties of magnets?
Attraction: Bring a bar magnet close to a piece of magnetic material, such as an iron nail or paper clip. The
material will be attracted to the magnet.
Repulsion: Bring the north pole of one magnet near the north pole of another magnet (or south pole to
south pole). The magnets will repel each other.
Observation: Like poles repel each other, while unlike poles attract.
Care and Demagnetization of Magnets
• Q: What happens to a magnet when it is hammered repeatedly?
A: The magnet loses its magnetic properties because hammering disturbs the alignment of magnetic
domains.
• Q: How can you properly store a bar magnet to retain its magnetic strength?
A: Store it with opposite poles of two magnets facing each other, separated by a wooden block, and
place soft iron keepers at the ends.
• Can a magnet lose its magnetism? Heat a small magnet slightly (under supervision), bring it near iron
nails and observe its strength. Record your observations.
o Yes, a magnet can lose its magnetism.
Observation: After heating, the magnet’s strength decreases. The heated magnet attracts fewer or no
nails.
Conclusion: High temperatures cause atoms to move randomly, disrupting the alignment of magnetic
domains. Overheating can cause the magnet to lose its magnetic properties completely.
• What are the ways to demagnetize a magnet?
I. Heating
II. Hammering
III. Placing it in an alternating magnetic field
Making Magnets
How can you convert an iron nail into a temporary magnet?
Stroke the nail repeatedly in one direction using one pole of a bar magnet or use the single-touch method.
Why is the single-touch method used to magnetize objects?
It aligns the magnetic domains of the object in a single direction, turning it into a magnet.
Earth as a Magnet
How does Earth act like a giant bar magnet?
The movement of molten iron and nickel in Earth’s core generates a magnetic field, acting like a giant bar
magnet.
Explain why the Earth's magnetic north pole is near the geographic south pole.
The magnetic north pole attracts the north-seeking pole of a magnet, meaning it is actually a magnetic
south pole.
Magnetism: Bar Magnets
How can you use a bar magnet to identify the poles of another magnet? Demonstrate this using the
principle of attraction and repulsion.
Bring the north pole of one magnet close to one end of the other magnet. If there is attraction, the
other end is the south pole. If there is repulsion, the other end is also a north pole. This works because
unlike poles attract, and like poles repel.
How can you test whether an object is a temporary or permanent magnet? Demonstrate using a paper
clip and a bar magnet.
Touch the object (e.g., nail or paper clip) to the bar magnet and use it to pick up another paper clip.
Remove the bar magnet.
o If it retains its magnetism (continues to attract the paper clip), it is a permanent magnet.
o If it loses its magnetism, it is a temporary magnet.
Wrap a wire around an iron nail and connect it to a battery. How can you make the nail a stronger
electromagnet? Test and explain.
To make the nail a stronger electromagnet:
▪ Increase the number of wire turns.
▪ Increase the current by using more batteries.
Observation: The nail attracts more pins or heavier objects as the magnetic field strength increases.
Bring two bar magnets close to each other and observe the interaction of their poles. Write down your
findings.
o Observation:
▪ Like poles (north-north or south-south) repel each other.
▪ Unlike poles (north-south) attract each other.
o Conclusion: Magnets exhibit both attractive and repulsive forces depending on their poles.
Magnetization
Rub a needle against a bar magnet in one direction several times. Bring the needle near paper clips.
What happens and why? Does it lose magnetism after some time? Why?
o Observation: The needle attracts the paper clips because it becomes magnetized by aligning
its magnetic domains.
o Over time, it loses magnetism as the domains return to random alignment, especially if
handled roughly.
How can you magnetize an iron nail and then demagnetize it? Explain the steps briefly.
 Magnetize: Rub the nail in one direction with a bar magnet several times.
Demagnetize: Hammer the nail repeatedly or heat it gently to disturb the alignment of its magnetic
domains.
Electromagnetic Experiments
Reverse the direction of current in the wire wound around an iron nail. Does it affect the poles of the
nail? Why or why not?
o Observation: Yes, the poles of the nail reverse.
o Reason: The direction of current determines the polarity of the electromagnet.
Switch off the current in an electromagnet. Does it still attract pins? Why or why not?
o Observation: No, the electromagnet does not attract pins after the current is switched off.
o Reason: The magnetic field disappears when the current is stopped.
Compass and Magnetic Fields
Place a magnet near a compass. What happens to the needle? What does this indicate about magnetic
fields?
Observation: The needle aligns itself with the magnet's field.
Conclusion: A compass detects magnetic fields, aligning with the field lines of a nearby magnet.
Place a compass near a coiled wire connected to a battery. Observe the movement of the compass
needle. What does this indicate about the current’s effect on magnetism?
o Observation: The compass needle deflects when the current flows through the coil.
o Conclusion: Electric current produces a magnetic field.
Temporary Magnetism
Touch a magnetized nail to another iron nail. Does the second nail pick up small pins? Explain why.
Yes, the second nail becomes temporarily magnetized due to the magnetic field of the first nail,
allowing it to pick up pins.