* All metals are *slightly* magnetic. This is because all metals have electrons, and electrons have a magnetic moment. However, in most metals, these magnetic moments are randomly oriented, cancelling each other out.
* "Magnetic" usually refers to ferromagnetism. This is a strong form of magnetism where the magnetic moments of atoms align in a material.
So, instead of "non-magnetic" metals, it's more accurate to talk about metals that are not ferromagnetic. Here's a list:
Metals that are NOT ferromagnetic:
* Aluminum
* Copper
* Gold
* Silver
* Zinc
* Tin
* Lead
* Mercury
* Titanium
* Nickel (at room temperature) - Nickel is ferromagnetic, but only above a specific temperature called its Curie point.
Metals that ARE ferromagnetic:
* Iron
* Nickel (above its Curie point)
* Cobalt
* Gadolinium
Important Notes:
* Diamagnetism: Some metals are diamagnetic. This means they are weakly repelled by magnetic fields. However, this effect is very small.
* Paramagnetism: Some metals are paramagnetic. This means they are weakly attracted to magnetic fields. Again, this effect is generally very weak.
* Magnetic alloys: It's possible to create alloys of metals that are not ferromagnetic, but exhibit ferromagnetic properties. For example, stainless steel is an alloy that is not ferromagnetic, but some stainless steel alloys are ferromagnetic.
I hope this explanation is helpful!
