Earth’s magnetic property in Playing With Magnets – Class 6 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Playing With Magnets

Activity Name: Earth’s magnetic property in Playing With Magnets

Activity Description:

The experiment involves observing the behavior of bar magnets in the presence of Earth’s magnetic field. A bar magnet is placed on a table, and another bar magnet is suspended above it.

The direction in which the suspended magnet comes to rest is noted. The direction of the magnet on the table is then changed, and the experiment is repeated.

Required Items:

• Two bar magnets
• Table or flat surface

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Place one of the bar magnets on the table in any direction.
2. Suspend the second bar magnet above the first one, making sure it is fairly close to the magnet on the table.
3. Observe and note the direction in which the suspended bar magnet comes to rest.
4. Change the direction of the bar magnet placed on the table.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 and observe any changes in the direction of the suspended bar magnet.

Experiment Observations:

1. The suspended bar magnet always comes to rest in the direction of the bar magnet placed on the table.
2. The north pole of the suspended bar magnet points towards the south pole of the bar magnet placed on the table, and the south pole of the suspended bar magnet points towards the north pole of the bar magnet placed on the table.

Precautions:

• Ensure the magnets are not too far apart so that their magnetic fields can interact.
• Handle the magnets carefully to avoid any accidents or injuries.
• Keep other magnetic objects or electronic devices away from the experiment area to avoid interference.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

Through this experiment, it is observed that the Earth possesses a magnetic property that acts upon the suspended bar magnet.

The suspended magnet aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field, with its north pole pointing towards the Earth’s magnetic south pole and its south pole pointing towards the Earth’s magnetic north pole.

This experiment demonstrates the influence of the Earth’s magnetic field on magnetic materials and highlights the magnetic properties of our planet.