Ace the 2025 Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Challenge – Tune Your Gears for Success!

Iron is the correct answer because it is a ferromagnetic material, which means it has the ability to be magnetized. When iron is subjected to a magnetic field, domains within the material align in such a way that the entire piece can take on magnetic properties. This behavior is a result of the structure of iron at the atomic level, where the electrons contribute to its magnetism.

The other materials listed—aluminum, copper, and zinc—are not ferromagnetic. Aluminum and copper are considered non-magnetic and do not retain magnetic properties when the magnetic field is removed. Zinc has some weak magnetic properties but does not exhibit the strong characteristics needed for magnetization like iron does. This distinction is crucial in understanding why only iron can become a magnet among the given choices.