Magnetism — REET Level 2 Science Notes
This page covers magnetism for REET Level 2 Science — magnetic and non-magnetic materials, the basic properties of magnets, and the key scientists behind electromagnetism — in exam-focused form. REET 2024 asked a direct question about Oersted's discovery, so matching scientists to their discoveries gets special attention here.
- 1 question in REET 2024
- Class 6-8 level content
- 6 min read
How REET actually asks this topic
REET 2024 asked about the scientist who discovered the magnetic effect of electric current (Oersted), with Faraday, Ampere and Lenz offered as distractor options. In other words, REET places real emphasis here on matching scientists to their discoveries, so it's important to remember the key scientists behind electromagnetism and their specific contributions clearly and separately.
Magnetic and non-magnetic materials
Materials attracted to a magnet are called magnetic materials, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. These materials are used specifically in making magnets and in electrical devices.
Materials not attracted to a magnet are called non-magnetic materials, such as wood, plastic, rubber, and aluminium. Most everyday objects (like books, clothes, glass) are made of non-magnetic materials.
In ancient times, the first natural magnet discovered was in the form of magnetite (an ore of iron), also called a lodestone. Most magnets used today are artificial, made from magnetic materials through special methods.
Magnets are of two types — permanent magnets, which keep their magnetism for a long time, and temporary magnets, which stay magnetic only as long as another magnetic source (such as an electric current) is present. Permanent magnets made of steel are more durable, while temporary magnets made of soft iron lose their magnetism quickly.
The basic properties of a magnet
- Poles
- Every magnet has two poles — north (N) and south (S)
- Like/unlike pole rule
- Like poles repel each other; unlike poles attract
- Separating the poles
- Even if you cut a magnet in half, each piece still has both poles (N and S) — a single, isolated pole cannot be obtained
- A freely suspended magnet
- Always settles roughly in the north-south direction — this is the basis of the compass
Key scientists behind electromagnetism
| Scientist | Discovery / contribution |
|---|---|
| Hans Christian Oersted (1820) | Deflection of a magnetic needle placed near a current-carrying wire — the magnetic effect of electric current |
| Michael Faraday | Electromagnetic induction (a changing magnetic field generating an electric current) — the reverse direction of Oersted's discovery |
| André-Marie Ampère | The mathematical relationship between electric current and magnetism |
| Heinrich Lenz | The law that gives the direction of an induced current (Lenz's law) |
REET 2024's question offered exactly these four names as options; the correct answer was Oersted. Linking these names to their contributions solves the biggest challenge this topic poses in REET.
Everyday uses of magnetic materials and magnets
- Compass
- Useful for giving ships, aircraft and travellers a sense of direction, based on the Earth's magnetism
- Electric motors and generators
- Using a magnetic field to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy (or the reverse)
- Tape recorders and hard disks
- Storing information on the surface of magnetic materials
- Magnetic cranes
- Using large electromagnets to lift and separate heavy pieces of iron
Making a magnet, demagnetising it, and its uses
Rubbing a magnetic material (such as an iron needle) repeatedly in one direction with a permanent magnet can induce magnetism in it. In addition, wrapping a coil of current-carrying wire around an iron rod can also create a temporary (electro)magnet.
Heating a magnet, dropping it sharply, or hammering it can reduce or destroy its magnetism, because this disturbs the orderly alignment of particles inside the magnetic material.
Magnets are used in many everyday objects — for finding direction with a compass, for keeping a refrigerator door shut, in electric motors and generators, and in industrial machines that separate pieces of iron.
How to teach this to children
Classroom activity
Bring a magnet close to various objects (an iron nail, a plastic scale, aluminium foil, a copper wire) and have children make a list of which are attracted and which aren't. Have them sort this list into two columns — 'magnetic' and 'non-magnetic' — and write it on the board.
Teaching aids
Directly demonstrate attraction/repulsion by bringing two bar magnets' like and unlike poles close together, and demonstrate direction-finding with a compass. Iron filings scattered on paper near a magnet can also be used to show the resulting pattern of magnetic field lines.
Common misconception
Students often think that cutting a magnet leaves only a north pole in one piece and only a south pole in the other; make it clear that each piece becomes a complete magnet in itself, with both poles. This can also be demonstrated experimentally if the materials are available.
Assessment idea
Ask students, 'why does a compass needle always come to rest in the same direction?' — this checks their understanding of the Earth's magnetism and the behaviour of a free magnet. A quick matching quiz based on the names Oersted, Faraday and Ampère can also be run.
Memory trick
To remember Oersted, think — 'current's first friend' — the link between current and magnetism was first discovered by Oersted (1820). Remember Faraday as the 'reverse' of that — Faraday made current from a magnet (electromagnetic induction). And remember Ampère through maths — he discovered the mathematical relationship between current and magnetism.
REET 2024 question (with solution)
Question 139
He was the first scientist who observed that when current flows in a conductor wire, there is a deflection in the magnetic needle placed near it. His name is
- Aमाइकल फैराडे
- Bआन्द्रे मेरी एम्पीयर
- Cहैंस क्रिश्चियन ऑर्स्टेड
- Dहेनरिक फ्रेड्रिक एमिल लेंज
Explanation
सन् 1820 में हैंस क्रिश्चियन ऑर्स्टेड ने देखा कि विद्युत धारा प्रवाहित तार के पास रखी चुम्बकीय सुई विक्षेपित हो जाती है, जिससे पता चला कि विद्युत धारा चुम्बकीय क्षेत्र उत्पन्न करती है। फैराडे ने इसके उलट विद्युत चुम्बकीय प्रेरण की खोज की थी।
Practice questions
Question 1
Which of the following materials is magnetic?
- Aलकड़ी
- Bप्लास्टिक
- Cलोहा
- Dरबर
Explanation
Iron is a magnetic material, attracted to a magnet; wood, plastic and rubber are all non-magnetic.
Question 2
When like poles of two magnets are brought close together, they
- Aआकर्षित होते हैं
- Bप्रतिकर्षित होते हैं
- Cकोई प्रभाव नहीं
- Dआपस में जुड़ जाते हैं
Explanation
Like poles (N-N or S-S) repel each other; only unlike poles attract.
Question 3
Who first discovered the deflection of a magnetic needle placed near a current-carrying conductor?
- Aमाइकल फैराडे
- Bहैंस क्रिश्चियन ऑर्स्टेड
- Cआन्द्रे मेरी एम्पीयर
- Dहेनरिक लेंज़
Explanation
In 1820, Hans Christian Oersted made this discovery, which was the first discovery of the magnetic effect of an electric current.
Question 4
If a bar magnet is cut into two pieces from the middle, then
- Aएक टुकड़े में केवल उत्तरी व दूसरे में केवल दक्षिणी ध्रुव बचेगा
- Bदोनों टुकड़े अचुंबकीय हो जाएंगे
- Cप्रत्येक टुकड़ा स्वयं में एक पूर्ण चुंबक बन जाएगा, जिसमें दोनों ध्रुव होंगे
- Dचुंबकत्व पूरी तरह नष्ट हो जाएगा
Explanation
Cutting any piece off a magnet leaves that piece as a complete magnet in itself, with both poles (N and S); a single, isolated pole can't be obtained.
Question 5
Who discovered electromagnetic induction (the production of electric current from a changing magnetic field)?
- Aऑर्स्टेड
- Bमाइकल फैराडे
- Cन्यूटन
- Dडाल्टन
Explanation
Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction, which is the reverse process (magnetism to current) of Oersted's discovery (current to magnetism).
Question 6
A freely suspended magnet always comes to rest in which direction?
- Aपूर्व-पश्चिम
- Bउत्तर-दक्षिण
- Cकोई निश्चित दिशा नहीं
- Dसदैव ऊपर की ओर
Explanation
A freely suspended magnet always settles roughly in the north-south direction because of the Earth's magnetic field; this is the basis of the compass.
Question 7
Which of the following is NOT a suitable way to destroy the magnetism of a magnet?
- Aगर्म करना
- Bज़ोर से पटकना
- Cउसी ध्रुव से एक ही दिशा में स्थायी चुंबक से रगड़ना
- Dहथौड़े से पीटना
Explanation
Rubbing a magnetic material in one direction with a permanent magnet induces magnetism in it, rather than destroying it; heating, dropping sharply, and hammering are all ways to destroy magnetism.
Question 8
To clearly explain the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials to students in class, the most suitable activity is
- Aकेवल परिभाषा बोर्ड पर लिखना
- Bविभिन्न वस्तुओं को चुंबक के पास लाकर आकर्षण की सूची बनवाना
- Cपाठ्यपुस्तक का चित्र दिखाना
- Dकोई गतिविधि आवश्यक नहीं
Explanation
Direct experimentation lets children see for themselves which materials are attracted to a magnet and which aren't.
Question 9
Which of the following materials is non-magnetic?
- Aकोबाल्ट
- Bनिकिल
- Cएल्युमिनियम
- Dलोहा
Explanation
Aluminium is a non-magnetic material; cobalt, nickel and iron are all magnetic.
Question 10
If a student mistakenly thinks that Faraday was the one who discovered the magnetic effect of electric current, what is the best explanation a teacher can give to correct this misconception?
- Aदोनों खोजें एक ही वर्ष हुई थीं इसलिए अंतर मायने नहीं रखता
- Bऑर्स्टेड ने धारा से चुंबकत्व (1820), जबकि फैराडे ने इसके विपरीत चुंबकत्व से धारा (विद्युत चुंबकीय प्रेरण) खोजा
- Cफैराडे ने कोई खोज नहीं की
- Dयह भ्रांति महत्वपूर्ण नहीं है
Explanation
Oersted's and Faraday's discoveries are in opposite directions — Oersted went from current to magnetism (1820), while Faraday went the other way, from magnetism to current (electromagnetic induction); the teacher should explain this distinction clearly with examples.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials?+
Magnetic materials (such as iron, cobalt, nickel) are attracted to a magnet; non-magnetic materials (such as wood, plastic, aluminium) are not.
How do like and unlike poles behave?+
Like poles (N-N or S-S) repel each other, while unlike poles (N-S) attract each other — this is the basic rule of magnetism.
Who discovered the magnetic effect of electric current?+
In 1820, Hans Christian Oersted discovered that a magnetic needle placed near a current-carrying wire is deflected — a discovery that went on to form the basis for the study of electromagnetism.
What happens when a magnet is cut?+
When a magnet is cut, each piece becomes a complete magnet in itself, with both poles (N and S); a single, isolated pole cannot be obtained.
How does REET ask questions on magnetism?+
Based on matching scientists to discoveries and on the basic properties of magnets, as seen in the REET 2024 question, where names like Oersted, Faraday, Ampère and Lenz were given as distractor options.
How is a magnet made?+
Rubbing a magnetic material repeatedly in one direction with a permanent magnet, or placing it inside a current-carrying coil, can induce magnetism in it.
What is the difference between a permanent and a temporary magnet?+
A permanent magnet (such as one made of steel) keeps its magnetism for a long time, while a temporary magnet (such as one made of soft iron) stays magnetic only in the presence of a magnetic source.
Read next
Official Sources
Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked