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What are 5 metals that are not magnetic?

Himesh Patel
Metallurgical Engineer & Manager
Himesh Patel is a Metallurgical Engineer at Mcclelland Laboratories in Reno, Nevada. With over five years of industry and graduate research experience in the raw materials industry, Himesh has extensive knowledge of mining and mineral extraction and recovery methods, mine financing, and the environmental impacts of mining. He received his MS in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Dual Degree in Mineral Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad. Himesh is passionate about educating the public about the minerals industry.

Himesh Patel

Metallurgical Engineer & Manager

Expert Answer

Some common metals that aren't magnetic include aluminum, copper, brass, gold, silver, tin, tungsten, and lead.

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Question

How do real magnets get magnetized?

Community Answer

When two magnets are close together, their magnetic field lines cut through each other creating magnetization.

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Question

Why do I have to magnetize with the north end of the magnet? As long as I don't keep swapping ends, shouldn't it work either way?

Andrew Geep

Community Answer

You are absolutely right. There is no difference which end you use. One end is south and the other is north. The center is neutral, that is, it is not magnetic and will not attract anything. By the way, did you know that if you cut a bar magnet in two you will have two magnets? The part of the magnet that had the south end will be south and the part that used to be neutral is now the new north. The same principle applies to the other end. Each "new" magnet will have half the strength of the original.

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I have a metal pill grinder. The two pieces are continuously rubbing each other. It has become magnetic to where the two pieces stick together. What should I do?

Andrew Geep

Community Answer

Interesting. Not being familiar with the geometry of your pill grinder, it's hard to say. I have an eraser for tape cassettes, and I use it to magnetize or demagnetize screwdrivers and such. If you have or can get one of those, turn it on and move it as close as you can to the pill grinder, and then back away. The whole operation should take just a few seconds. Make sure the demagnetizer is a foot or two away from the grinder when you turn it on and off, or you'll cause even more magnetization to occur.

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How do I strengthen the magnetization of a magnet?

Community Answer

Use a strong magnet or a solenoid, and increase the number of turns in it.

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Question

Can I use direct current in the electromagnet-making process?

Andrew Geep

Community Answer

Absolutely! In fact, that's the only way to go. I believe AC electromagnets are possible, but they are trickier to make. You want something that will use a low voltage, and that's DC.

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How can I measure the strength of the electromagnet?

Community Answer

Place a heavy piece of metal on a scale and zero the scale. Use the magnet to try to lift the metal, the scale will show a negative value, that is the power of you electromagnet.

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Question

Can you compare the magnetic properties of steel and iron?

Community Answer

It depends on the composition of the steel. Iron is almost always magnetic. Steel is composed partly of iron. Much -- but not all -- steel is magnetic.

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