We use the word “magnetism” quite a bit. In general, magnetism is thought of as the simple attraction of two metals. However, magnetism is much more nuanced than this. Magnetism is classified in several different ways. It all comes down to the atoms that make up each element or compound. Furthermore, it depends on the charge of those atoms’ electrons and how they react (if at all) to magnetic fields. Physicist Michael Faraday determined that all objects are either diamagnetic (and repel magnetic fields) or paramagnetic (attract magnetic fields). Diamagnetism There are a lot of quantum mechanics involved with diamagnetism, but in a basic sense,  diamagnetic objects typically repel when exposed to magnetic fields. Diamagnetic elements include hydrogen, beryllium, poor metals, most nonmetals and semimetals, halogens, and noble gases. Paramagnetism The opposite of diamagnetism, paramagnetic substances attract magnetic forces when exposed to them. Paramagnets are only magnetic when in the presence of an established magnetic field and do not give off their own magnetic fields, making them different from ferromagnets. The alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, most transition metals, lanthanide metals (including neodymium) oxygen, aluminum, and tin are all paramagnetic. Ferromagnetism Ferromagnets are permanently magnetic. They are objects with strong magnetic attraction, regardless of whether or not they are in the presence of a magnetic field. The term comes from “ferrum”, the Latin word for iron (a ferromagnetic element). Ferromagnets include iron, nickel, and cobalt. Antiferromagnetism The name might be a mouthful, but the theory is relatively simple. Antiferromagnets are just that — the opposite of ferromagnets. They repel other metals without the presence of a magnetic field. However, it should be noted that this typically only occurs at very low temperatures and most antiferromagnets are simply paramagnets at room temperature. The only known antiferromagnetic element is chromium. Ferrimagnetism Note the vowel difference. Ferrimagnets, like ferromagnets are magnetic even without an active field. Ferrimagnets contain electrons that both attract like ferromagnets and repel like antiferromagnets. However, there are more electrons that attract than repel, leading to ferrimagnets’ own classification. Superparamagnetism Like paramagnets, superparamagnets are attracted to magnetic fields when exposed to them. As the prefix “super” suggests, these magnets are much more attracted than other paramagnets. As you can see, magnets are more complex than we often give them credit for. Many of Apex’s magnets are made with the paramagnetic neodymium. Understanding how elements attract and repel magnetic fields is important to our business. Do you have experience with any specific type of magnetism? Let us know about it!