The material should be taken near to the magnet. If a material sticks to a magnet, then it is a magnetic material otherwise it is a non-magnetic material.

A magnet has a certain magnetic field which can be demonstrated using the below activity.
Keep a magnet in the centre of a paper. Spread iron filings uniformly on the fiat

Paper. The iron filings will get attracted to the magnet only till a particular region. Beyond this region, the iron filings will not get attracted. The region where iron filings are attracted is the magnetic field, whereas the region from where the iron filings are not attracted, will be the region with no magnetic field. This experiment can give some idea about the extent of magnetic field of a magnet.

Tie a thread to the centre of a magnet and hang it from a stand as shown. Wait till the magnet settles itself.

The north pole of the magnet will point to the north direction while the south pole of the magnet will point to the south direction. If the directions are not known, then we can use mariner's compass. Take a magnet near the mariner’s compass. The pole which shows repulsion if taken near the north pole of a mariner’s compass, will be the north pole of this magnet.

Electromagnet can be used to separate iron from trash.

If the directions are not known, then we can use mariner's compass.

Permanent magnet can be used to stop the continuous shuttering of the window in the wind.

If a bar magnet is hung by a thread tied at its centre, its north pole becomes steady in the direction of the north Pole of the earth.

 If a bar magnet is cut into equal pieces by cutting it at right angles to its axis at two places, 3 bar magnets are formed, and a total of 6 poles are formed.

There is repulsion between the like poles of a magnet, and attraction between its opposite poles.

When magnetic material is taken close to a magnet, the material acquires induced magnetism.

If a magnet attracts a piece of metal, that piece must be made of magnetic material or iron.

(f) A magnet remains steady in a north-south direction.

For the construction of an electromagnet, we require an iron nail, a long insulated copper wire, a battery and a switch.

When an article of iron is wound by a copper wire and the electric current is sent through the wire, the magnetism is produced in this iron article. As soon as the current stops flowing in the circuit, the article of iron loses magnetism. This is how temporarily magnetism can be produced by creating electromagnetism.

(b) Properties of a magnet are following:

• A magnet always settles in the north-south direction.
• A magnet, when suspended freely, always rests in north-south direction.
• A magnet has an attractive properties i.e. it always attracts magnetic materials towards it.
• Like poles of magnets repel each other whereas unlike poles attract each other.

• If a magnet is divided into two parts, it forms two independent magnets. Two poles of a magnet cannot be separated from each other.

• Magnetic force of a magnet is concentrated at its two poles.

• When a magnetic material is placed near a powerful magnet, it acquires magnetism. This is known as induced magnetism.

Magnets have very wide range of uses:

• Magnetic compass: With the help of a magnetic compass, you can know the directions at a particular place.
• Magnet in junkyard: In the junkyard, you will see that a large magnet is attached at the bottom of the arm of a crane. The arm moves over a heap of junk and the magnet collects objects made of iron. The crane uses magnets which are very powerful. They are usually electromagnets_
• Magnet in electrical appliances: Pin holder, doorbell, doors of a fridge, car doors, magnets attached to a fridge for decorations are some of the articles in which magnets are used.
• Magnet for security: While going to some important places like temples, buildings, airport etc. you will see Metal detectors use for inspection of people. These equipments uses magnets.
• Hard disc of computer, audio and video CD, etc. also use magnetic materials,