Magnetic attraction to ferromagnetic material

In summary: When talking about ferromagnets, we can say that its atoms are arranged In one direction easily and fast causing its magnetism and at the same time it loses its magnetism when the the effect of the external magnetic vanishes as the atoms return to its random arrangement once again.
  • #1
2345qwert
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Why do magnets attract ferromagnetic materials only? Why not other materials as well?
 
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  • #2
A magnet shows some attraction to paramagnetic materials, too, examples such as aluminium, copper sulphate, liquid oxygen. In these cases, the phenomenon is attributed to unpaired electrons.
 
  • #3
NascentOxygen said:
A magnet shows some attraction to paramagnetic materials, too, examples such as aluminium, copper sulphate, liquid oxygen. In these cases, the phenomenon is attributed to unpaired electrons.
Can you explain in more detail?
 
  • #4
First of all you have to understand the nature of the substances response to fields.
All substances consists of atoms these atoms contain electrons which produce a magnetic field as they orbit, the point is that the atoms are randomly arranged so the overall result of the produced fields is nothing, due to the random arrangement the fields produced are nearly canceled, but when a magnet is placed near any substance the atoms tend to get directed in the same direction to produce a unidirectional field same to the direction of the field produced by the magnet, the tendency and the ease for being arranged depends on the nature of the atoms some atoms are easily arranged when they are affected by an external magnetic field and some just don't. When talking about ferromagnets, we can say that its atoms are arranged In one direction easily and fast causing its magnetism and at the same time it loses its magnetism when the the effect of the external magnetic vanishes as the atoms return to its random arrangement once again
 
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  • #5
2345qwert said:
Can you explain in more detail?
No, but I bet Wikipedia can. :smile:

You're sure to find some good youtube demonstrations showing a stream of liquid oxygen curving towards a strong magnet.
 
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  • #6
ElmorshedyDr said:
First of all you have to understand the nature of the substances response to fields.
All substances consists of atoms these atoms contain electrons which produce a magnetic field as they orbit, the point is that the atoms are randomly arranged so the overall result of the produced fields is nothing, due to the random arrangement the fields produced are nearly canceled, but when a magnet is placed near any substance the atoms tend to get directed in the same direction to produce a unidirectional field same to the direction of the field produced by the magnet, the tendency and the ease for being arranged depends on the nature of the atoms some atoms are easily arranged when they are affected by an external magnetic field and some just don't. When talking about ferromagnets, we can say that its atoms are arranged In one direction easily and fast causing its magnetism and at the same time it loses its magnetism when the the effect of the external magnetic vanishes as the atoms return to its random arrangement once again
Thanks! But why do electrons produce a magnetic field when they orbit?
 
  • #7
NascentOxygen said:
No, but I bet Wikipedia can. :smile:

You're sure to find some good youtube demonstrations showing a stream of liquid oxygen curving towards a strong magnet.

Yes, wikipedia did help but it's kind of complicated :) Thanks though!
 

What is magnetic attraction?

Magnetic attraction is the force that pulls two ferromagnetic materials together. It is caused by the alignment of magnetic dipoles within the materials.

What materials are attracted to magnets?

Ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and certain alloys, are attracted to magnets due to their ability to align their magnetic dipoles in the presence of a magnetic field.

How does magnetic attraction work?

Magnetic attraction is a result of the interaction between the magnetic fields of two objects. When the magnetic fields are aligned in the same direction, the objects are attracted to each other. If the fields are opposite, they repel.

What factors affect the strength of magnetic attraction?

The strength of magnetic attraction is affected by the distance between the two objects, the strength of the magnetic field, and the magnetic properties of the materials involved.

Can magnetic attraction be turned off?

Yes, magnetic attraction can be turned off by disrupting the alignment of the magnetic dipoles in the materials. This can be done by heating the material above its Curie temperature, introducing a strong external magnetic field in the opposite direction, or physically separating the objects.

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