Understanding Magnetic Attraction: Non-Magnetic Metal and Poles Explained

  • Context: High School 
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    Magnetics
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of a non-magnetic piece of metal in the presence of a magnet, specifically addressing why it appears to attract to only one pole and flips to the same side when held loosely. The scope includes conceptual understanding of magnetism and the properties of materials in magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how a non-magnetic metal can exhibit attraction to a magnet, suggesting it flips to the opposite side.
  • Another participant asserts that non-magnetic means no attraction occurs, asking for a specific example to clarify the initial claim.
  • A different participant clarifies their use of "non-magnetic," indicating that the metal is not a magnet itself but is permeable, describing its dimensions and behavior when placed near a magnet.
  • Another participant proposes that the metal piece may have become mildly magnetized, suggesting an experiment with light ferrous metal like iron filings to test this hypothesis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and behavior of non-magnetic materials in magnetic fields, with no consensus reached on the initial question regarding attraction and flipping behavior.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of magnetic and non-magnetic materials, as well as the conditions under which the metal exhibits attraction to the magnet.

linux kid
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How does a non-magnetic piece of metal have an attraction to only one of the poles when you put it near a magnet (it tries to flip to the opposite side)?
 
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It doesn't. That's what non-magnetic means. Do you have a specific example that you can show us?
 
by non magnetic, I don't mean that it's not permeable. I only used that word to indicate that the piece of metal is not a magnet in itself.

It is just a very flat piece of permeable metal about W1mm, H3", L2cm. It will attach itself to the magnet on both sides when placed on the magnet on it's flat side. But when I hold the bar loosely between my fingers and hold the magnet over it, it always flips to the same side every time.
 
Last edited:
Oh. Sounds like the metal piece has become mildly magnetized. Try picking up some light piece of ferrous metal with it (like iron filings).
 

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