Chapter 36, Problem 5A

What is so special about iron that makes each iron atom a tiny magnet?

To determine

To explain: The specialty of iron that makes each iron atom a tiny magnet.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The region where the force is experienced around a magnetic material is termed as magnetic field.

In case of iron, most of the electrons spin in the same direction making the atoms strongly magnetic. The alignment of these atoms generates force creating a magnetic field. Hence the iron atoms act as the tiny magnets. Due to the same direction of the electron spin, they do not cancel out each other.

Conclusion:

Hence the iron atoms act as the tiny magnets because the electrons spin in the same direction.