What is the Difference Between Magnetic Materials and Non Magnetic Materials?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials lies in their response to magnetic fields. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Attraction: Magnetic materials are attracted to magnets, while non-magnetic materials are not. Examples of magnetic materials include iron, cobalt, and nickel. Non-magnetic materials, such as plastics, rubber, wood, and some metals and alloys, do not experience any magnetic force when placed near a magnet.
  2. Magnetic State: Magnetic materials have their magnetic moments coordinated in such a way that they point in the same direction, producing strong magnetic fields. In contrast, non-magnetic materials have their magnetic moments arranged in a random manner, so their collective magnetic field is negligible.
  3. Magnetization: Magnetic materials can be magnetized by a magnet and can retain their magnetization after the magnet is removed, making them suitable for use in permanent magnets. Non-magnetic materials, however, cannot be magnetized by a magnet and will not become magnetized materials.

In summary, magnetic materials are attracted to magnets and can be magnetized, while non-magnetic materials are not attracted to magnets and cannot be magnetized. The magnetic moments in magnetic materials are coordinated and point in the same direction, producing strong magnetic fields, whereas the magnetic moments in non-magnetic materials are random and produce negligible magnetic fields.

Comparative Table: Magnetic Materials vs Non Magnetic Materials

Here is a table comparing magnetic materials and non-magnetic materials:

Property Magnetic Materials Non-Magnetic Materials
Attraction Attracted to permanent magnets Not attracted to permanent magnets
Examples Iron, nickel, cobalt, some rare earth metals, and majority of steels Aluminium, copper, alloy of copper and aluminium, steel (depending on chemical composition), stainless steel (depending on chemical composition)
Magnetic Properties Magnetic materials can be divided into several groups based on their magnetic properties, such as diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, and antiferromagnetic materials Non-magnetic materials do not display ferromagnetic properties and are not attracted by a magnet
Applications Magnetic materials are used in various applications, such as turbomachinery, high-end electric motors, and refrigerator magnets Non-magnetic materials are used in MRI machinery and some operating systems where no magnetic effect is desired

Magnetic materials are attracted to permanent magnets and can be magnetized themselves, while non-magnetic materials are not attracted to magnets and do not display ferromagnetic properties.