The term '''magnetism''' is used to describe how [[materials]] [[respond]] on the microscopic level to an applied [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field magnetic field]; to categorize the magnetic [[phase]] of a material. For example, the most well known form of magnetism is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferromagnetism ferromagnetism] such that some ferromagnetic [[materials]] produce their own persistent magnetic field. However, all materials are [[influenced]] to greater or lesser [[degree]] by the [[presence]] of a magnetic field. Some are attracted to a magnetic field ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramagnetism paramagnetism]); others are repulsed by a magnetic field ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamagnetism diamagnetism]); others have a much more [[complex]] [[relationship]] with an applied magnetic field. Substances that are negligibly affected by magnetic fields are known as non-magnetic substances. They include copper, aluminium, water, gases, and plastic. | The term '''magnetism''' is used to describe how [[materials]] [[respond]] on the microscopic level to an applied [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field magnetic field]; to categorize the magnetic [[phase]] of a material. For example, the most well known form of magnetism is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferromagnetism ferromagnetism] such that some ferromagnetic [[materials]] produce their own persistent magnetic field. However, all materials are [[influenced]] to greater or lesser [[degree]] by the [[presence]] of a magnetic field. Some are attracted to a magnetic field ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramagnetism paramagnetism]); others are repulsed by a magnetic field ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamagnetism diamagnetism]); others have a much more [[complex]] [[relationship]] with an applied magnetic field. Substances that are negligibly affected by magnetic fields are known as non-magnetic substances. They include copper, aluminium, water, gases, and plastic. |