Why Do Magnets Attract Certain Metals?

[vickirocks001]

science fair project help please!

i'm doing a science fair project on magnets and metals and why they attract. I've already tried googling for a good description of why magnets and metals attract, but none of the answers that popped up were good enough. they do not explain very well the process of it. i understand there is a magnetic field and all, but how does it get there and what in the piece of metal causes them to move together. PleASe heLP!

 

[Tom Creswell]

I don't know either, but here are some things to google. Paramagnetism, orthomagnetism. Iron, Cobalt and nickel exhibit this behavior, something to do with un-paired electrons in p or d shells. Try a freshmen college chemistry book.