Ferromagnetism

From Sciencemadness Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Ferromagnetism is the basic mechanism by which certain materials (such as iron, the most common example) are capable to form permanent magnets, or are attracted to magnets. Ferromagnetism (along with the similar effect ferrimagnetism) is the strongest type and is responsible for the common phenomenon of magnetism in magnets encountered in everyday life.

Elements such as iron, nickel, cobalt and a few lanthanides (dysprosium, gadolinium, terbium) are ferromagnetic, albeit at temperatures lower than room temperature.

Most ferromagnetic materials are metals, alloys or chalcogenides of said metals, since the conducting electrons are often responsible for mediating the ferromagnetic interactions.

Relevant Sciencemadness threads