Magnets and Lead: Understanding Magnetic Materials

Today's common magnets are made of alloys of nickel, cobalt and aluminum. Although lead has metallic properties, it has no magnetic properties. Magnet producers use special metallic alloys to make magnets, but none use lead.

Classifcation

• Sometimes scientists classify lead as diamagnetic, which means it actually repels magnets. However, this repulsion is very slight so scientists usually classify it as nonmagnetic, like water or wood.

Misconceptions

• While lead can block radiation and protect you from X-rays, it cannot block magnetic fields. Placing lead near a magnet does not effect the magnet's magnetism. The two materials simply will not attract each other.

Considerations

• Magnets made of iron, boron, and/or neodymium are the most powerful today. Alloys of lead and these elements are not magnetic.