A student investigates the magnetic properties of three separate rods, labeled X, Y, and Z. Each rod is made of a different material from the following list:
- plastic
- soft iron
- steel
Each rod is placed inside a solenoid that is connected to a direct current (DC) power supply. The current is switched on for a short time to magnetise the rods. To test the magnetic strength of each rod, the student counts how many small steel pins the bottom of each rod can attract, as illustrated in the experimental setup.
The table below shows the student's results:
| Rod | Number of steel pins picked up before rod is placed in solenoid | Number of steel pins picked up when there is a current | Number of steel pins picked up 1 minute after current is switched off | Number of steel pins picked up 5 minutes after current is switched off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Y | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Z | 0 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Complete the table below to identify the material each rod is made from and provide the reason why.
One row (Rod X) has been completed for you.
| Rod | Material | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| X | Plastic | It is non-magnetic because it does not attract any steel pins at any point. |
| Y | ||
| Z |