Everything has ferromagnetic properties (?)

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between magnetic fields and materials. It is mentioned that not all materials are attracted to magnetic fields, and for those with weak magnetism, magnetic susceptibility can be used to measure their response. It is also noted that the strength of the magnetic field needed to interact with a material as strong as two magnets would depend on various factors and may be difficult to determine. The conversation also clarifies that copper is not a magnetic insulator, but rather a material that can provide insulation against certain types of electromagnetic fields.
  • #1
SAZAR
205
0
Is it true that every material can be attracted by a magnetic field provided that the magnetic field is STRONG enough?
 
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  • #2
Actually I was asking about a table that describes how magnetic the material is in numbers. (how is it called? 'coefficient of magnetism'?? or what?)

Something like:
sulfur | 0.0000000000145
phosphorus | 0.0000000346
and so on :D
 
  • #3
Try magnetic susceptibility. This is the quantity that may be what you need, for materials with weak magnetism:
- paramagnetic - weakly attracted by a strong magnet
- diamagnetic - weakly repelled

For ferromagnetic materials the susceptibility or permeability may give some information.

So no, not any material is attracted. It may be repelled.
And when is weakly attracted does not mean it is ferromagnetic.
 
  • #4
nasu said:
Try magnetic susceptibility. This is the quantity that may be what you need, for materials with weak magnetism:
- paramagnetic - weakly attracted by a strong magnet
- diamagnetic - weakly repelled

For ferromagnetic materials the susceptibility or permeability may give some information.

So no, not any material is attracted. It may be repelled.
And when is weakly attracted does not mean it is ferromagnetic.

Hmmm... As an extreme example: copper is an element known as a great magnetic "insulator", but if a strong enough magnetic field would be applied - would it be repelled or attracted?
(And how strong a magnetic field must be in order to affect it just as strong as two magnets interact? (e.g. for comparison: how much times stronger than neodymium magnet?))

PS: Actually now that I checked it out I see that copper is diamagnetc (it would be repelled - right?) - so only that other question remains: how strong a magnetic field must be to interact with it as strong as two magnets would?
 
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  • #5
This is a very vague question. Even for a more specific one (given the expected force, the size and shape of material) it would be nontrivial.
My guess though is that it will be higher than anything you can reasonably produce, at least for copper. Besides, the force on a induced dipole depends on both field strength and gradient of the field.

Note. Copper is not really a magnetic insulator. A static magnetic field will go through it. Try to put a sheet of copper between two magnets. The main effect in reducing attraction will be the increase in separation due to the thickness of the copper.
A copper sheet or box may provide good insulation against variable electromagnetic fields and/or static electric fields.
 

Related to Everything has ferromagnetic properties (?)

What are ferromagnetic properties?

Ferromagnetism is a physical phenomenon in which certain materials exhibit a strong attraction towards magnetic fields. This attraction is due to the alignment of the material's atomic dipoles in the same direction.

What materials have ferromagnetic properties?

Common examples of materials with ferromagnetic properties include iron, nickel, cobalt, and their alloys. Other materials such as gadolinium and dysprosium also exhibit ferromagnetism at certain temperatures.

How do materials acquire ferromagnetic properties?

Ferromagnetism is a result of the alignment of atomic dipoles within a material. This alignment can be induced by exposing the material to a strong external magnetic field or by heating the material above its Curie temperature.

What are the applications of ferromagnetic materials?

Ferromagnetic materials have a wide range of practical applications, including in the production of magnets, electric motors, and transformers. They are also used in data storage devices, such as hard drives and credit cards with magnetic strips.

Can all materials have ferromagnetic properties?

No, only certain materials with a specific atomic structure and arrangement of electrons can exhibit ferromagnetism. Other types of magnetism, such as paramagnetism and diamagnetism, can be observed in different materials.

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