Attract and Repel

• Magnets exert a force — pull (attract) or push (repel).
• Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.
• Not all metals are magnetic — mainly iron and steel.
• Activities from Looking Around 3 with bar magnets and paper clips.

Level 1 — Core idea

Verbal: Bring two north poles together — they push apart (repel).

Symbolic: N–N or S–S → repel; N–S → attract.

Visual: Picture two bar magnets: arrows pushing apart for like poles, pulling for unlike.

Level 2 — Going deeper

Magnetic force works without touching — paper clip jumps toward magnet. Force weakens with distance.

NCERT anchor

NCERT Looking Around 3, Chapter 14 (The Story of Food) and general science kit activities use magnets to pick iron pins. Test attract vs repel before labelling poles.

Two bar magnets push apart when certain ends meet. Why?

Step 1 — Pushing apart = **repel**
Step 2 — Repel means **like poles** (N–N or S–S)
Step 3 — Swap one magnet → attract → unlike poles ✓

Will a magnet attract a copper coin?

Step 1 — Magnet attracts **iron/steel**
Step 2 — Copper is not magnetic at this level
Answer: **No** — coin does not stick

• Like poles — attract or repel?
• Name one thing a magnet picks up.
• What happens to N and S poles?
• Stretch: Why do magnets stick to fridge doors? (steel body)

Revision tip: Rhyme: Like repel, unlike attract — say it before every magnet question.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Attract and Repel.

• Use the platform-native live simulation or PhET-style tool for this topic (number line, Venn, physics playground, molecule builder, sensor dashboard, etc.).
• Mirror / body / home activity: physically do the concept (count objects, measure, role-play) and photograph or describe for portfolio.
• Voice or text reflection with AI Mentor: explain the concept to a younger student or family member.

• "Explain this concept to a Class 6 student using one real example from an Indian home, school, market, or festival."
• "What is one common mistake students make here, and how would you catch yourself making it?"
• Stretch: "How does this connect to coding, robotics, money, health, environment, or a future career?"

• Complete the core practice + one extension activity (photo, table, short reflection, or mini-project) for base XP + topic badge.
• 5-7 day streak or family discussion note = multiplier + visible artifact in parent/principal dashboard.
• Best real-world application stories (anonymised) featured on class or national leaderboard.

• One hands-on project or measurement using the Drishti kit or household items that makes the concept physical.
• Direct link to at least one Future Skill track (Money Management, Green Tech, Cyber Defenders, Micro-Entrepreneurship, AI Mastery, Sustainable Living, Personality Development).
• Coding extension where relevant (simple script, simulation, or data logging).

This material emphasises experiential "learning by doing", competency (apply/create/analyse), vocational exposure, critical thinking, and multidisciplinary connections. Designed to feed live worlds, AI Mentor (with memory), gamification, robotics, parent analytics, and future skills — not just exam prep.

Portfolio Evidence Idea: Your photo/table/reflection/project + one sentence on "How this helps me in real life or a possible future path."

Open the Practice tab for aligned questions (easy/medium/hard + case-based) with full AI scaffolding.

See curriculum for cross-links and the full future-skills/robotics chapters.