Attraction and Repulsion

When two magnets are brought close to each other, they are either pulled towards each other, or pushed away from each other. When the magnets are pulled towards each other, they are said to attract each other. When they are pushed away from each other, they are said to repel each other. The places in the magnet where its magnetic power is maximum are known as poles while the place of minimum attracting power are known as neutral region.

Whether the magnets attract or repel depends on which poles of the magnets are facing each other.

When like poles of the magnets (N-N or S-S) are brought close to each other, they repel. This is called repulsion.

When unlike poles of the magnets (N-S or S-N) are brought close to each other, they attract. This is called attraction.

Test For Magnetism:

Repulsion is a sure test for magnetism. This is because attraction takes place in two situations

1. If we bring the opposite poles close to each other there is attraction

2 If we bring a piece of magnetic material near a magnet attraction will take place.

The attraction between two pieces of magnetic material can happen in two situations but repulsion takes place in only one situation that is when like poles are brought closer to each other So if there is repulsion when two pieces of magnetic material are brought closer to each other, we can say that both the pieces are magnets. Let us perform an activity to test whether a given metallic bar is a magnet or not.

Activity: To identify that a metallic bar is a magnet.

Method: Following steps will be performed one by one

1. Take a bar magnet. Suspend it with the help of a thread.

2. Now, bring one end of a metallic bar near one pole of the suspended magnet at a time.

3. If one end of the metallic bar is attracted and the other is repelled, the metallic bar is a magnet.

4. If both the ends of the metallic bar are attracted, it is not a magnet.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

When the north pole of a strong magnet is brought near to the north pole of a weak magnet then they will ___________________
A. Attract each other	B. Repel each other	C. First attract and then repel	D. First repel and then attract
Right Option : A
View Explanation

Question : 2

Which of the following are correct ? (a) When the magnets are pulled towards each other, they are said to attract each other. (b) When they are pushed away from each other, they are said to repel each other.
A. Only (a) is correct.		B. Only (b) is correct.
C. Both (a) and (b) are correct.		D. None of these
Right Option : C
View Explanation