Why do magnets attract some metals but not others?
Quick Answer
Magnets attract metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt because their electrons can align into magnetic domains. In most other metals, those tiny magnetic effects cancel out, so there is little or no visible attraction.
The Full Story
Magnetism comes from electron motion and a quantum property called spin. In ferromagnetic materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt, many atoms can line up their magnetic moments in the same direction, forming domains that a magnet can pull on. In metals such as copper, aluminum, and gold, the magnetic moments do not line up strongly enough to create a strong attraction. This is why a refrigerator magnet sticks to a steel door but slides right off an aluminum can.
Key Facts
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