What happens when magnetic material is brought near a magnet?

When a magnetic material is brought near a magnet, the magnetic domains within the material tend to align in response to the external magnetic field produced by the magnet. Magnetic domains are small regions within the material where the magnetic moments of atoms are aligned in the same direction. In the absence of an external magnetic field, these domains may point in various directions, leading to a net magnetism that can be weak or nonexistent. However, when an external magnet is introduced, the magnetic field exerts forces on these domains, causing them to rearrange and align with the direction of the field.

This alignment results in the material becoming magnetized temporarily, enhancing its magnetic properties. This phenomenon explains how ferromagnetic materials like iron can become magnetized when influenced by a magnet, which is a key principle used in many applications, from electric motors to magnetic storage devices.