Which term best describes a material that is strongly attracted to magnets and can become a permanent magnet?

Which term best describes a material that is strongly attracted to magnets and can become a permanent magnet?

• A. Paramagnetic
• B. Diamagnetic
• C. Ferromagnetic
• D. Nonmagnetic

Answer: (C)

Ferromagnetism is the property of materials that are strongly attracted to magnets and can become permanent magnets. In these materials, many tiny magnetic regions, called domains, line up with a magnetic field; this alignment can stay even after the external field is removed, so the material remains magnetized. That enduring magnetization is what lets some materials act as permanent magnets. Classic examples include iron, nickel, and cobalt. In contrast, paramagnetic materials experience only a weak attraction and lose alignment when the field is gone, diamagnetic materials are slightly repelled, and nonmagnetic materials show little to no attraction. So the term that best fits a material that is strongly attracted to magnets and can become a permanent magnet is ferromagnetic.

Ferromagnetism is the property of materials that are strongly attracted to magnets and can become permanent magnets. In these materials, many tiny magnetic regions, called domains, line up with a magnetic field; this alignment can stay even after the external field is removed, so the material remains magnetized. That enduring magnetization is what lets some materials act as permanent magnets. Classic examples include iron, nickel, and cobalt. In contrast, paramagnetic materials experience only a weak attraction and lose alignment when the field is gone, diamagnetic materials are slightly repelled, and nonmagnetic materials show little to no attraction. So the term that best fits a material that is strongly attracted to magnets and can become a permanent magnet is ferromagnetic.