🧲 Chapter 19 – Properties of a Magnetic Field
📘 Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions – Standard Seven
📝 1️⃣ Fill in the Blanks
(a) The alloys called alnico and nipermag are used for making industrial magnets.
(b) A magnetic field can pass through water and cardboard.
(c) The intensity of a magnetic field is indicated by the lines of force.
(d) The real test of a magnet is repulsion.
🔗 2️⃣ With Whom Should I Pair Up? (Match the Pairs)
| Group ‘A’ | Group ‘B’ |
|---|---|
| (a) Compass | (4) A magnetic needle |
| (b) Door of a cupboard | (3) A magnet |
| (c) Repulsion | (2) Like poles |
| (d) Magnetic pole | (1) The highest magnetic force |
❓ 3️⃣ Answer the Following Questions
(a) Distinguish Between the Two Methods of Making Artificial Magnets
| Single Touch Method | Double Touch Method |
|---|---|
| Magnetic strength produced is low. | Magnetic strength produced is higher. |
| Magnetism lasts for a shorter time. | Magnetism lasts for a longer time. |
| Only one magnet is used for stroking. | Two magnets are used simultaneously. |
(b) Substances Used for Making an Electromagnet
To make an electromagnet, we need:
- 🔌 A long conducting copper wire
- 🔩 An iron nail (core)
- 🔘 A switch
- 🔋 A battery
When electric current flows through the coil wound around the iron nail, it behaves like a magnet.
(c) Write a Note on “Magnetic Field”
- The concept of magnetic lines of force was proposed by Michael Faraday.
- The space around a magnet where its magnetic force can be experienced is called a magnetic field.
- Magnetic field lines show the pattern and strength of magnetism.
- These lines help us understand how magnetic force acts around a magnet.
(d) Why is a Magnetic Needle Used in a Compass?
- A magnetic needle can rotate freely.
- It always settles in the north-south direction due to Earth’s magnetism.
- Once the north direction is known, other directions can be easily determined.
👉 Therefore, a magnetic needle is used in a compass to find directions.
(e) Explain with the help of a diagram How the Intensity and Direction of the Magnetic Field of a Bar Magnet are Determined
📌 Intensity of Magnetic Field
- Shown by the number of magnetic lines of force.
- More concentrated lines → Stronger magnetic field.
- Field strength is highest near the poles of the magnet.
📌 Direction of Magnetic Field
- Magnetic lines of force always start from the North Pole.
- They end at the South Pole.
- Hence, the direction of the magnetic field is from North to South (outside the magnet).

(f) How Did Merchants of Olden Times Use a Magnet While Travelling?
- Merchants carried a compass during travel.
- The compass had a freely rotating magnetic needle.
- The needle always pointed in the north-south direction.
- This helped travelers determine directions easily.
- It was especially useful in deserts and oceans, where landmarks were not visible.
👉 Thus, magnets played an important role in navigation in ancient times.
