Which element is magnetic?

Which element is magnetic?

• A. Calcium
• B. Chromium
• C. Cobalt
• D. Carbon

Answer: (C)

Magnetism in elements comes from unpaired electron spins and how their magnetic moments can align. Elements with partially filled d or f shells can have their moments align in the same direction, giving ferromagnetism that makes them magnetic at room temperature. Among these options, cobalt is ferromagnetic, so it can be magnetized and shows strong magnetic behavior. Calcium has paired electrons and no net magnetic moment, so it isn’t magnetic in the usual sense. Carbon in common forms (graphite or diamond) isn’t magnetic either. Chromium’s magnetic ordering isn’t ferromagnetic at room temperature, so it doesn’t behave as a permanent magnet under everyday conditions. So cobalt is the magnetic element.

Magnetism in elements comes from unpaired electron spins and how their magnetic moments can align. Elements with partially filled d or f shells can have their moments align in the same direction, giving ferromagnetism that makes them magnetic at room temperature. Among these options, cobalt is ferromagnetic, so it can be magnetized and shows strong magnetic behavior. Calcium has paired electrons and no net magnetic moment, so it isn’t magnetic in the usual sense. Carbon in common forms (graphite or diamond) isn’t magnetic either. Chromium’s magnetic ordering isn’t ferromagnetic at room temperature, so it doesn’t behave as a permanent magnet under everyday conditions. So cobalt is the magnetic element.