Materials
We are able to see magnets in our every day lives attracting many different objects. Most notably, magnets can attract all things made of iron. Some objects made of other metals such as nickel can also stick to magnets. However, objects such as paper, cloth, wood, and glass cannot be attracted to magnets.
There are three types of metal that are attracted to magnets. All three types are attracted to the magnets in varying strengths.
1) Ferromagnetic Metals: Ferromagnetic metals are strongly attracted by a magnetic force. Common ferromagnetic metals include iron, nickel, and steel.
2) Paramagnetic Materials: Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to a magnetic force. This attractive force is approximately a million times weaker than the force attracting ferromagnetic metals. Common paramagnetic metals include copper and aluminum.
3) Diamagnetic Materials: Diamagnetic materials work very differently from ferromagnetic and paramagnetic metals, as they respond to magnets in an opposite way. Common diamagnetic materials include gold, silver, and lead.
1) Ferromagnetic Metals: Ferromagnetic metals are strongly attracted by a magnetic force. Common ferromagnetic metals include iron, nickel, and steel.
2) Paramagnetic Materials: Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to a magnetic force. This attractive force is approximately a million times weaker than the force attracting ferromagnetic metals. Common paramagnetic metals include copper and aluminum.
3) Diamagnetic Materials: Diamagnetic materials work very differently from ferromagnetic and paramagnetic metals, as they respond to magnets in an opposite way. Common diamagnetic materials include gold, silver, and lead.
While listening to the below audio clip, think about different objects that are attracted to magnets in our every day lives. What are these objects? Can you name all three types of magnetic metals and sort these items into each group?
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If you do not understand a word used on page, be sure to visit the Magnetism Vocabulary tab under Overview to review!