Magnetic attraction to ferromagnetic material

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of magnetic attraction, specifically why magnets primarily attract ferromagnetic materials and the nature of attraction to other materials such as paramagnetic substances. The scope includes theoretical explanations and conceptual clarifications regarding atomic behavior in magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why magnets attract only ferromagnetic materials and not others.
  • Another participant notes that magnets also attract paramagnetic materials, citing examples like aluminum and liquid oxygen, attributing this to unpaired electrons.
  • A request for further detail on the attraction to paramagnetic materials is made, indicating a desire for deeper understanding.
  • A detailed explanation is provided regarding the atomic structure and behavior in magnetic fields, emphasizing that the random arrangement of atoms typically cancels out magnetic fields, but can align under an external magnetic influence.
  • A later reply humorously suggests that Wikipedia might provide the needed information, while also mentioning the availability of demonstrations on platforms like YouTube.
  • Further clarification is sought on why electrons produce a magnetic field when they orbit, indicating ongoing curiosity about the underlying principles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and curiosity about the topic, with some agreeing on the nature of magnetic attraction while others seek more detailed explanations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of why certain materials respond differently to magnetic fields.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about atomic behavior and the nature of magnetic fields that may not be fully articulated or agreed upon. There are references to external resources for further information, indicating that participants may have differing levels of familiarity with the topic.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the principles of magnetism, atomic physics, or those seeking clarification on the behavior of different materials in magnetic fields may find this discussion relevant.

2345qwert
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Why do magnets attract ferromagnetic materials only? Why not other materials as well?
 
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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.
 
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?
 
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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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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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?
 
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!
 

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