How many of the following materials can be attracted by a magnet ? 1.

How many of the following materials can be attracted by a magnet ?
1. Plastic
2. Carbon
3. Aluminium
4. Stainless Steel
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1
2
3
None
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2023
The correct answer is A. Only one of the listed materials, Stainless Steel (depending on its specific composition), can be attracted by a magnet in the conventional sense.
Magnetically permeable materials are attracted by magnets. Ferromagnetic materials like iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys (including certain types of stainless steel) are strongly attracted. Paramagnetic materials like aluminium are weakly attracted. Diamagnetic materials like carbon and plastic are weakly repelled. When a general question asks if a material is “attracted by a magnet,” it usually implies strong attraction (ferromagnetism).
Plastic is typically diamagnetic or paramagnetic, not attracted in practice. Carbon (like graphite) is diamagnetic, weakly repelled. Aluminium is paramagnetic, very weakly attracted, usually considered non-magnetic for everyday purposes. Stainless steel exists in different grades; austenitic stainless steels (e.g., 304, 316) are generally non-magnetic, while ferritic (e.g., 430) and martensitic (e.g., 410) stainless steels are magnetic due to their higher iron content and crystalline structure. Therefore, some forms of stainless steel *can* be attracted by a magnet.
Exit mobile version