Question

A powerful magnet attracts
A) all materials.
B) only ferromagnetic materials and their ores.
C) some materials and repels some other materials.
D) only iron and its ores but does not repel any material.

Answer 1

A magnet can attract another magnetic material but only depending on the type of magnetism exhibited by the material. The magnetism exhibited by the material can be attractive in nature or repulsive in nature. Ferromagnetic materials get strongly attracted to a magnet.

Complete step by step answer:
Magnetic materials exhibit two types of behaviors – attraction or repulsion when placed near a powerful magnet.
Materials that will repel the magnet are termed as diamagnetic materials.
Materials that will get weakly attracted to the magnet are termed as paramagnetic materials.
Materials that will get strongly attracted to the magnet are termed as ferromagnetic material. Now the ores of ferromagnetic materials also show ferromagnetic properties and hence they too can get attracted to the magnet when placed adjacent to it.
So, in general, we can say that the powerful magnet attracts some materials while it repels others. If we were to be more specific we can say that it strongly attracts ferromagnetic materials and their ores.

Therefore, Option (B) is correct.

Additional information:
Ferromagnetic materials are said to possess magnetization even in the absence of an external magnetic field. This property of theirs makes them suitable for making permanent magnets.

Note:
A magnet only attracts or repels materials that show magnetism. Consider a plastic sheet as the material. We are aware that plastic does not have a magnetic nature and hence it will not be attracted or repelled by the magnet placed next to it. Iron is a ferromagnetic material and will get attracted to the magnet but it is not the only ferromagnetic material available.