The north pole of a strong magnet is dragged down an iron nail from the top to the point 50 times.

Question

What will most likely happen when the nail is brought near a pile of small paper clips?

The nail will not pick up any paper clips because its domains are not aligned.
The nail will not pick up any paper clips because its domains have been aligned.
The nail will pick up some paper clips because its domains are not aligned.
The nail will pick up some paper clips because its domains have been aligned.

Answer 1

When the north pole of a strong magnet is dragged down an iron nail repeatedly, it will induce the alignment of the magnetic domains within the nail. As the magnet is moved, the nail's domains become organized in the direction of the magnetic field created by the magnet.

Therefore, when the magnet is removed and the nail is brought near a pile of small paper clips, the previously aligned domains in the nail will allow it to exhibit magnetism. As a result, the nail will likely pick up some paper clips.

So, the correct answer is: The nail will pick up some paper clips because its domains have been aligned.