Why do magnets attract only iron objects and other magnets?
1 Answer
Actually magnets attack not only iron, other magnets, but also cobalt and nickel.
Explanation:
A magnetic field is created by the movement of electrons. If a current of electrons is moving north the magnetic field will be created pointing west. The force field created by the moving electrons must be completed so the magnetic field has a north and south end. Objects that have polar magnetic fields will either be attracted completing and adding to the force field or repealed if the north pole faces a north pole, or the south pole faces a north pole.
The transition metals of Iron ( 26) Cobalt( 27) and Nickel( 28) have free electrons in their d sub orbital that can move together creating an electric current and resulting magnetic force field This force field can be aligned with the force field of the magnet. When the force field of the metal ( Iron, Cobalt, Nickel) is aligned with the force field of the magnet the metal will be attracted to the magnet.
( Note many of the rare earth metals can be turned into super magnets especially at low temperatures. )
