Question

jill uses a magnet to pick up a nail. then, she touches the nail to a paper clip and picks up the paper clip. what will most likely happen when she pulls the magnet away from the nail?
the paper clip will stay attached to the nail because the nail is now a permanent magnet.
the paper clip will stay attached to the nail because the paper clip is now a permanent magnet.
the paper clip will fall off of the nail because the nail was only a temporary magnet.
the paper clip will fall off of the nail because the nail is now magnetized in the opposite direction

Explanation:

When a magnet is used to pick up a nail, the nail becomes a temporary magnet (induced magnetism) because it only retains magnetism while in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. Once the permanent magnet (the magnet Jill used) is pulled away, the nail loses its magnetism. So the paper clip, which was attracted because the nail was temporarily magnetic, will fall off as the nail is no longer magnetic. Let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: The nail is not a permanent magnet, it's temporary, so this is wrong.
• Option 2: The paper clip doesn't become a permanent magnet; the nail was temporary, so this is wrong.
• Option 3: The paper clip will fall off because the nail was temporary (loses magnetism when magnet is removed), this is correct.
• Option 4: The nail doesn't get magnetized in the opposite direction; it just loses magnetism, so this is wrong.

Answer:

C. The paper clip will fall off of the nail because the nail was only a temporary magnet.