Magnets attract iron because a magnetic field can align magnetic domains inside the iron. The aligned regions create a net attraction toward the stronger part of the field.
Electrons create magnetic moments
Electrons have intrinsic magnetic properties and also move through atoms. In most materials, these effects cancel in groups. In iron, interactions allow many atomic magnetic moments to organise into domains.
An unmagnetised piece of iron can contain domains pointing in different directions, so its overall field is weak even though microscopic magnetism is present.
A nearby magnet reorganises domains
When iron enters an external magnetic field, domains favour alignment with that field. The near side becomes magnetically stronger in the direction facing the magnet, producing attraction. Removing the magnet can let much of the alignment relax.
Permanent magnets retain more alignment because their material structure resists randomisation.
Not every metal is magnetic
Copper, aluminium and many other metals respond differently. Conductivity, crystal structure and electron arrangement determine whether a field produces attraction, repulsion or only a tiny effect.
The phrase “magnets attract metal” is therefore too broad. The important property is magnetic susceptibility, not metallic appearance.
Sources and evidence
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory — Magnetism basics ↗
Magnetic domains, electron moments and material response.
- NIST — Magnetic materials ↗
Magnetic properties and measurement of materials.
Sources consulted: 9 October 2026. Written with AI assistance and checked against the linked references; not independently reviewed by a subject specialist. Sources do not endorse this article. See our editorial policy.
Revision: Added original explanatory comparisons, source-linked evidence and a reader-focused example.