In the context of magnets and magnetic fields, determining whether a piece of metal is magnetic (i.e., attracted to a magnet) is best classified as which type of property?

• A. Physical property
• B. Chemical property
• C. Optical property
• D. Nuclear property

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical properties: Physical properties can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity, while chemical properties describe how a substance interacts or changes into a different substance.
2. Recognize that magnetism involves the attraction of a material to a magnetic field without altering the material's chemical composition.
3. Identify that the ability of a metal to be attracted to a magnet is an observable characteristic that does not involve a chemical reaction or change in the material's structure.
4. Conclude that since the property involves a physical interaction and no chemical change, it is classified as a physical property.
5. Note that optical properties relate to light interaction, and nuclear properties involve changes in the nucleus, so these are not relevant to magnetism in this context.