Understanding Magnetic Attraction Between Metal Nuts

To understand why metal nuts attract each other when one is in contact with a magnet, let's break this down step by step:

1. Magnetic Properties of Metals: Not all metals are magnetic, but some, like iron, nickel, and cobalt, can be magnetized. When a magnet is brought close to these metals, they can become temporarily magnetized.
2. Contact with the Magnet: When a metal nut touches a magnet, the nut's material becomes magnetized. This means that the nut itself starts to exhibit magnetic properties. The areas of the nut may develop a north and south pole due to the influence of the magnet.
3. Attraction Between Nuts: When the magnetized nut is near another metal nut, the two can attract each other. This occurs because opposite poles of the magnetized nut and the metal nut align—north to south—causing them to stick together.
4. Separation from the Magnet: As soon as the magnetized nut is no longer touching the magnet, it loses its magnetization. Without the magnetic influence, it no longer has a strong enough magnetic field to attract the other nut, resulting in them falling apart.

In summary, the attraction of metal nuts occurs due to the temporary magnetization when they are in contact with a magnet. Once they are separated from the magnet, they lose this magnetization, and thus, the attractive force disappears.