Question

Conceptual Questions
A magnet attracts a piece of iron. The iron can then attract another piece of iron. On the basis of domain alignment, explain what happens in each piece of iron.

Answer 1

Magnetic domain alignment within the magnet creates an external magnetic field, which in turn induces domain alignment within the first piece of iron, creating another external magnetic field. The field of the first piece of iron in turn can align domains in another iron sample. A nonuniform magnetic field exerts a net force of attraction on the magnetic dipoles of the domains aligned with the field.