Name: Steve R.
Status: other
Age: 30s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 3/19/2003
Question:
What metals are susceptible to a magnetic field. ie
iron is and aluminum is not but what about platinum? I ask because I am
shopping for a wedding ring and I work with very strong magnetic fields
(NMR spectroscopy) (and I am embarrassed that I do not know).
Replies:
Steve,
Iron, steel (an alloy of iron), nickel, and cobalt are attracted to a
magnet. Platinum and all other precious metals are not attracted.
Extra information: Certain cookware that has aluminum encapsulated within
the stainless steel on the bottom of the pan may be attracted to a magnet.
However, the attraction is due to the composition of the stainless steel
and not to the presence of the aluminum. Such a design is necessary if the
pan is to be heated on an induction range. Such pans must have a bottom that is
attractive to a magnet. If they do not, they will not get hot.
Regards,
ProfHoff 619
Platinum is not but nickel is. I would suggest that you take a strong
permanent magnet to the jewelry store and test the wedding bands. The
salespeople will not know about trace metals in wedding rings. The NdFe
magnets are quite strong and would be very useful in determining magnetic
content.
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.
