Chapter 13.
Fun with magnets:
What is magnet?
Ans: the substances that have the property of attracting iron are known as magnets.
Common uses of magnets:
Magnets are used in in magnetic compass, door bells, refrigerators, televisions, dynamos, motors,
loudspeakers, microphones, earphones, computers, toys etc.
magnets are also used to lift certain objects and in medical equipments.
Stories associated with the discovery of magnets:
In ancient Greece, there was a shepherd namely Magnes. he was having a stick with a small piece of
iron at its end. once this stick got sticked to a rock and it was hard to pull it back from that rock, because
that rock was a natural magnet. Such rocks are natural magnets. These are termed magnetite after the
name of the shepherd Magnes.
It was also assumed that magnetite was first discovered in Magnesia.
Magnetite contains iron in it.
There are two types of magnets. They are 1. natural magnets and 2.artificial magnets.
Natural magnets are found naturally and artificial magnets are made from pieces of iron by human.
Artificial magnets are made in different shapes like, bar magnets, cylindrical magnets, ball-ended
magnets and horse-shoe magnets.
With respect to to magnetic property, there are two types of materials in the nature. They are magnetic
materials and non magnetic materials.
The materials that get attracted towards magnets are known as magnetic materials. Eg: iron, nickel,
Cobalt etc.
The materials that do not get attracted towards magnets are known as non-magnetic materials. Eg:
plastic, wood, human body, water etc.
Poles of magnet: the regions near to the ends of magnet are known as poles of magnet. the magnetic
strength is more at the poles of magnets.
North pole: the end of a magnet that points towards north of the ground.
South pole: the end of a magnet that points towards south of the ground.
Magnets were used by people from ancient times.
There was an emperor in China with a name Hoang Ti. He was having a chariot with a statue of lady that
could rotate in any direction. this statue had an extended arm, which was showing the way. its extended
arm always pointed towards south direction. Thus, using that statue, the emperor was able to locate
directions when he went to new places.
Identifying the poles of a bar magnet:
First, a mark has to be put on one of the ends of bar magnet.
Then, a thread has to be tied at the middle of the magnet.
Then it has to be suspended from a wooden stand and ensure that the magnet can rotate freely.
When it comes to rest, it shows the two points on the ground.
Then, the ends of this bar magnet showing these two points has to be marked.
Magnet will always come to its rest in the same direction, which is the north south direction.
Travellers made use of this property to find directions from centuries ago - by suspending a natural
magnet with a thread.
Magnetic compass: a small box covered by a glass cover with a freely rotatable magnetized needle
pivoted inside the box is known as magnetic compass.
Compass has a dial with directions marked on it. Using compass, we can find the directions of a given
place. The magnetized needle indicates the north south directions. the compass is rotated untill the
North and South marked on the dial are at the two ends of the needle. north pole of the magnetic
needle is usually pointed in a different colour.
Making our own magnet:
A rectangular iron bar has to be taken on to a table.
a bar magnet has to be moved along the path of iron bar from one end to another end.
after reaching the other end, bar magnet has to be lifted up from another and and has to be taken to the
first end and again it has to be moved along the length of the iron bae in the same direction.
this process has to be repeated about 30 to 40 times. This process converts the iron bar into an artificial
magnet. the iron bar's magnetism can be tested by bringing iron filings or small pins near to it.
While moving the magnet on iron bar, the pole of the magnet and the direction of its movement should
not change.
Properties of poles of the magnet:
Similar poles of two different magnets repel. South pole of one magnet and South pole of another
magnet repel. In the same way, North pole of one magnet and north pole of another magnet repel.
If a magnet is brought near to a compass, the poles of the magnetized needle inside the compass get
aligned as with poles of the outer magnet.
Conditions in which magnets lose their property:
If magnets are heated, hammered or dropped from some height or if they are not stored properly, then
the magnets may lose their property.
Q:How magnets can be kept safe?
Ans: bar magnets should be kept in pairs with their opposite poles on the same side. The two Bor
magnets must be separated by a piece of wood, while the two pieces of soft iron should be placed across
their ends.
A horse-shoe magnet can be stored by keeping a piece of iron across the poles.
Magnets must be kept away from cassettes, mobiles, televisions, music system, compact discs and
computer.
