Are Zinc Fasteners Really Magnetic While Stainless Steel Isn't?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the magnetic properties of zinc and stainless steel fasteners, as well as the magnetism of US nickels. Participants explore the reasons behind the observed magnetic attraction of zinc fasteners and the lack of magnetism in stainless steel, while also considering the magnetic properties of nickel in coins.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that zinc fasteners are attracted to magnets, questioning whether they are coated with magnetic material.
  • Another participant explains that some zinc fasteners may be galvanized steel, which could account for their magnetic properties.
  • It is mentioned that not all stainless steel is magnetic; the type of stainless steel (austenitic vs. ferritic) affects its magnetism.
  • A participant points out that just because a material contains iron does not guarantee it is magnetic, citing rust as an example.
  • There is a query about the magnetic properties of US nickels, with some participants stating that while nickel is ferromagnetic, US nickels are not very magnetic due to their alloy composition.
  • One participant suggests that with a strong enough magnet, it may be possible to exert a noticeable force on a US nickel.
  • Another participant humorously mentions that a very strong magnetic field could levitate a frog, emphasizing the need for quantitative measures in discussions about magnetism.
  • It is clarified that magnetism is a property of bulk nickel rather than individual nickel atoms, indicating that the alloy used in US nickels is quite non-magnetic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views regarding the magnetic properties of the materials discussed. There is no consensus on the specifics of magnetism in zinc fasteners or the magnetic behavior of US nickels, indicating that multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the types of materials and their structures, which may not be fully addressed. The relationship between composition and magnetism is complex and not fully resolved in the conversation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to educators, students in physics or materials science, and individuals curious about the properties of metals and magnetism.

SDTK
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I am putting together a hands on activity for ninth graders, which will include testing different materials to determine whether they are attracted to a magnet.
I have collected fasteners (screws, nails, bolts), and surprised that the fasteners I purchased labeled "zinc" are attracted to the magnet, but the "stainless" fasteners are not.
Can anyone offer insight?
---- Are zinc screws/bolts coated with magnetic material?
--- Does stainless steel not contain iron?
 
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SDTK said:
---- Are zinc screws/bolts coated with magnetic material?
Some materials are galvanized meaning that they are coated with a layer of zinc. The fasteners are probably made of steel and have been galvanized to prevent them from rusting.
SDTK said:
Does stainless steel not contain iron?
Some types of stainless steel are not magnetic while other types are. It depends on the atomic structure of the metal. The stainless steel you have is probably austenitic rather than ferritic stainless steel, so it is not magnetic.

Just because something contains iron does not make it magnetic. Rust in the form of Fe2O3 is barely magnetic, even though it is mostly iron.
 
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NFuller said:
Some materials are galvanized meaning that they are coated with a layer of zinc. The fasteners are probably made of steel and have been galvanized to prevent them from rusting.

Some types of stainless steel are not magnetic while other types are. It depends on the atomic structure of the metal. The stainless steel you have is probably austenitic rather than ferritic stainless steel, so it is not magnetic.

Just because something contains iron does not make it magnetic. Rust in the form of Fe2O3 is barely magnetic, even though it is mostly iron.
Thank you. This helps!

If I have a very strong magnet, could I possibly use it to attract a US nickle? ( The coins are 75% copper, 25% nickle)
 
SDTK said:
If I have a very strong magnet, could I possibly use it to attract a US nickle? ( The coins are 75% copper, 25% nickle)
Although nickel is a ferromagnetic metal, US nickels are not very magnetic. With a strong enough magnet however, you may be able to get a noticeable force on the coin.
 
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SDTK said:
Thank you. This helps!

If I have a very strong magnet, could I possibly use it to attract a US nickle? ( The coins are 75% copper, 25% nickle)

With a "very strong" magnetic field, you can even levitate a frog!

At this point, you should be having some quantitative numbers to consider if it can be done, rather than putting out unspecified possibilities. Anything in a strong enough magnetic field can be induced to have some amount of magnetization. But I doubt if you have anything approaching 4 Tesla sitting anywhere that you can easily access.

Zz.
 
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ZapperZ said:
With a "very strong" magnetic field, you can even levitate a frog!

At this point, you should be having some quantitative numbers to consider if it can be done, rather than putting out unspecified possibilities. Anything in a strong enough magnetic field can be induced to have some amount of magnetization. But I doubt if you have anything approaching 4 Tesla sitting anywhere that you can easily access.

Zz.
No, ... don't have anything that strong sitting around, but I may quote your frog comment to my students :-)
 
NFuller said:
Although nickel is a ferromagnetic metal, US nickels are not very magnetic. With a strong enough magnet however, you may be able to get a noticeable force on the coin.
thanks your comments are very helpful :-)
 
Suspend any small objects made from weakly magnetic material on threads .
 
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SDTK said:
If I have a very strong magnet, could I possibly use it to attract a US nickle? ( The coins are 75% copper, 25% nickle)

Magnetism is not a property of nickel atoms, but rather of bulk nickel. The alloy used in US nickel is quite non-magnetic.
 

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