What Materials Are Attracted to Magnets?

Magnetism comes in a variety of forms. Ferromagnetic materials have strong magnetic attraction. Iron and similar metals have this property. Most other metals are paramagnetic, or weakly attractive. Some non-metals, like oxygen, are also paramagnetic.

Ferromagnetic Metals

A magnet will strongly attract some metals such as cobalt, nickel and iron. These metals can also become permanently magnetized under the right conditions.

Paramagnetic Metals

Most metals, like aluminum, platinum and lead, are weakly attracted to a magnet. They don't become permanently magnetized.

Ferromagnetic Compounds

Magnets strongly attract compounds such as chromium dioxide and manganese arsenide. These can retain magnetism permanently.

Rare Earths

Some metals in the lanthanide series of the periodic table, called rare earths, have strong magnetic attraction. Some of these metals include gadolinium and neodymium.

Liquid Oxygen

Oxygen, in its supercooled liquid form, is paramagnetic. A strong permanent magnet will attract droplets from a stream.

References

• Magnetic Concepts
• Rare Earth Magnets
• Paramagnetism and Liquid Oxygen