Iron, nickel, and cobalt and most of their alloys are attracted to magnets. Other metals, like silver and gold, copper, tin, stainless steel, zinc, brass and bronze are not attracted. Non-metals are not attracted.

Iron, nickel, and cobalt are called ferromagnetic. All materials respond to magnetic fields, but most respond so weakly that the forces are hardly felt. Those that are repelled are called diamagnetic; those attracted are paramagnetic.