Which metals are recognized as common magnetic metals?

Cobalt, nickel, and iron are recognized as common magnetic metals due to their intrinsic magnetic properties. These metals exhibit ferromagnetism, a phenomenon where certain materials can be magnetized and form permanent magnets. This is due to their unique electronic structures, specifically how their electron spins align in the presence of magnetic fields, allowing them to retain magnetic properties even after the external field is removed.

In contrast, gold and silver are non-magnetic; they do not display any significant magnetic properties, making them unsuitable to be classified as magnetic metals. Similarly, zinc and copper are also non-magnetic; they do not exhibit ferromagnetic characteristics. Aluminum and lead follow suit as non-magnetic materials as well, meaning they do not naturally possess the properties required to be magnetic. This clear distinction between magnetic and non-magnetic metals reinforces the identification of cobalt, nickel, and iron as the prevalent magnetic metals in various applications, such as motors, transformers, and data storage devices.