What is it in a magnet that makes it attract only iron and not other metals or substances like wood,plastic,glass,etc.? Why does a magnet attract only iron?

Open in App

Solution

Magnet has a strength around its vicinity due to the arrangement of its electrons. This strength is responsible for the magnetic property of the magnet. Magnets attract things like iron due to the influence of its strength around it .As wood , plastic , glass are insulators and do not have free electrons.So they can not be attracted by the magnet.It depends upon the electronic arrangement of the material.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Why does a magnet always attract iron, not wood?

Q. Iron sulphide is not attracted towards magnet whereas its element is attracted towards magnet why?

In magnet there is North side and South side in that magnet north & north will not be attracted ,South &south also will not be attracted but north south will be attracted why does N & N, S & S will not be attracted to each other why does only N&S are attracted to each other.

Why do magnets have the tendency to attract metals like iron ?

Q. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.
1. Only ..................... (magnetic/non-magnetic) materials are attracted by magnets.
2. Like poles of two magnets ..................... (attract/repel) each other.
3. A magnet that retains its properties for a very long period of time is called ..................... (electro/permanent) magnet.
4. A horseshoe magnet should be stored with a piece of ..................... (plastic/iron) across its poles.
5. A ......................................... (credit card/magnetic compass) is a devicer used to find directions.

Join BYJU'S Learning Program