Question

Which metal is suitable to use to make a permanent magnet?
A. Aluminum
B. Brass
C. Iron
D. Steel

Answer 1

Hint: Most ferromagnetic materials are metals. They have a tendency to remember their magnetic history. This property is called hysteresis. This tendency is due to the alignment pattern of their constituent atoms.

Complete answer:
Ferromagnetic materials are the most suitable material for a permanent magnet. The ferromagnetic material out of the options is iron.
The unpaired electrons in the domain of a ferromagnetic material that were in random direction start aligning themselves in the direction of the applied magnetic field. Thus the ferromagnetic material gets magnetized.

So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Additional Information:
There are two types of permanent magnets: those from hard magnets and the others from soft magnets. Hard magnets tend to stay magnetized over a long period. Common examples are:
Alnico alloy: An iron alloy with aluminum, nickel and cobalt makes up Alnico alloy. Alnico alloys make strong permanent magnets. They are widely used in commonly used electronics. Large electric motors, microphones, loudspeakers and microwaves are few of the examples.
Ferrite: A ceramic compound composed of iron oxide and other metallic elements makes up Ferrite. Ferrites are used in refrigerator magnets and small electric motors.
Soft magnets can be magnetized but lose their magnetism very quickly. Common examples are iron-silicon alloys and nickel-iron alloys. These materials are typically used in electronics, for example transformers magnetic shielding and electromagnets.

Note:
Magnets were first discovered in the 12th century by ancient civilizations. They were used as magnetic compasses to navigate in the densest forests and stormy seas. In modern times, magnets have become an essential part of our life and modern technology. The magnet industries continue to grow because of the constant demand for magnetic components widely used in equipment.