Fun with magnets – Which materials do magnets attract?


What are Magnetic materials?

Materials that are attracted by a magnet are called Magnetic materials. For example, iron, nickel, cobalt, steel.

Some magnetic materials that are very strongly attracted to magnets are called Ferromagnetic. For example, iron, nickel and cobalt.

What are Non-magnetic materials?

Materials which are not attracted by a magnet are Non-magnetic materials. For example, wood, fabric and plastic.

Magnetic property of metals and non-metals

Most metals are magnetic. But there are a few exceptions.

Metals like copper and aluminium are not attracted by magnets. But copper is attracted to very strong magnets.

Similarly, most non-metals are non-magnetic. But some like oxygen, when in liquid form, show magnetic properties.