Which of the following materials or elements is highly effective for making a permanent magnet?

The correct answer is Steel.

Key Points

Permanent magnet:

• Substances that at room temperature retain their ferromagnetic property for a long period of time are called permanent magnets.
• Permanent magnets can be made in the following ways:
  1. By holding an iron rod in the north-south direction and hammering it repeatedly.
  2. By holding a steel rod and stroke it with one end of a bar magnet a large number of times.
  3. An efficient way to make a permanent magnet is to place a ferromagnetic rod in a solenoid and pass a current.
• The hysteresis curve allows us to select suitable materials for permanent magnets.
• The hysteresis curve should be tall and wide for the material that is used to make a permanent magnet.
• The material that is used to make a permanent magnet should have high retentivity and high coercivity.
• Steel is a one-favored choice to make a permanent magnet.
• Other suitable materials for permanent magnets are alnico, cobalt steel, and ticonal.

Additional Information

• Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn.
  • It is a bluish- metal that is not magnetic and has weak magnetic properties.
  • It is commonly used in galvanizing to protect iron and steel from corrosion.
• Aluminium is a chemical element with the symbol Al.
  • It is a lightweight metal that has weak magnetic properties.
  • It is commonly used in the manufacturing of aircraft, packaging, and electrical conductors.
• Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu.
  • It is a reddish-brown metal that has weak magnetic properties.
  • It is commonly used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and roofing.