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Name: Alyssa B.
Status: student
Age: 10
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001-2002
Question:
What are magnets made out of?

Replies:
Alyssa,

For some materials, the molecules are magnetic. Usually, these molecules are all scrambled up, so you do not know they are magnetic. Sometimes they can be lined up. When this happens, you have a magnet. Metals like iron and steel are good at lining up their molecules. Some plastics, like the ones you see on refrigerators, are good at lining up as well. The molecules of most materials will not stay lined up. They just get all scrambled again. This is why most materials do not make good magnets.

Dr. Ken Mellendorf
Physics Instructor
Illinois Central College


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