Questions: Magnetism: Which Materials Are Magnetic?
3 questions to test your understanding
Score: 0 / 3
Question 1 Multiple Choice
You test four metal objects with a magnet: a steel paper clip, a copper penny, an aluminum can, and a nickel coin. Which ones will the magnet attract?
AAll four — they are all metals, and magnets attract metal
BOnly the steel paper clip — steel is the only metal
CThe steel paper clip and the nickel coin — steel contains iron and nickel is a magnetic metal
DNone of them — magnets only attract other magnets
The steel paper clip is magnetic because steel contains iron. Nickel is one of the three common magnetic metals (iron, nickel, cobalt). Copper and aluminum are metals but are NOT magnetic — a magnet will not attract them. Being a metal does not automatically mean being magnetic.
Question 2 True / False
Most metals are attracted to magnets.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
False. Only iron, nickel, and cobalt (and alloys containing them, like steel) are attracted to magnets. Copper, aluminum, gold, silver, tin, and many other metals are not magnetic at all. Being a metal is not the same as being magnetic.
Question 3 Short Answer
How can you test whether an object is magnetic?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Hold a magnet near the object. If the object is pulled toward the magnet (attracted to it), it is magnetic. If nothing happens, it is not magnetic.
The magnet test is simple and reliable. If the object moves toward the magnet or sticks to it, the object contains a magnetic material like iron, nickel, or cobalt. Objects that show no response contain no magnetic materials.