Why does a magnet attract iron?

The standard scientific explanation is that “Magnets attract iron due to the influence of their magnetic field upon the iron. … When exposed to the magnetic field, the atoms begin to align their electrons with the flow of the magnetic field, which makes the iron magnetized as well. This, in turn, creates an attraction between the two magnetized objects.”

But this explanation does not really tell us why magnets attract iron, it only tells us how magnets attract iron. It attributes the phenomenon of magnetism to the movement of the electrons. What causes the electrons to move with the flow of the magnetic field? Why does this make the iron magnetized? 

Many theories have been put forward to try to explain the phenomenon of magnetism. Sir James Jeans, the English physicist and astronomer, who tried and failed to find a conclusive answer to this phenomenon, explains very simply “Perhaps it has been ordered to do so by its Creator”.

The reason why it is so difficult to explain why certain phenomena occur, and not just how they do, is that not everything is a simple matter of cause and effect. The “mechanical interpretation of the universe”, which stipulates that all events leading to the creation of the universe occurred without any external influence, appears to be feeble at best. What else is at play at any given moment in time?

Theories by Quantum Physicists postulate that the mechanical interpretation of the universe is flawed, that the ‘Observer Effect’ seems to have as much apparent ability to influence what is being observed as a direct physical cause. But again, this puts the supposed “cause” of physical reality in the hands of the observer, making it yet another mechanical explanation.

Look at the events leading up to your current state in space and time. Reflect on your lifestyle, relationships, state of physical and mental health, and wealth. While many of the circumstances you are in right now can be attributed to your free will and cumulative choices or may have seemingly direct external causes, not all your life experiences can be so simply explained.

I remember the terrifying sensation of almost being hit by a bus twenty years ago. I will never forget the feeling of pure terror as the speeding bus whizzed by my face, so close that I felt the incredible intensity of air pressure inches away. After the initial sense of shock faded, I remember wondering- what must have happened in the seconds before I crossed the road, prior to the instant where I missed the stop sign, where I was so caught up in conversation with my friend that I didn’t pause at the sidewalk to look left and right before crossing the road? Did I bend down to pick something up seconds before, did I go back to fetch my gloves from my apartment, or did my laces take a little longer than usual to tie up? Who knows? What I know now is that I was not meant to leave the world that day. My Creator had other plans for me. Some of these plans included graduating from university, starting a family, and attempting to carve out a career for myself. My point here is this: there are millions of seemingly random “little” moments all woven together in a crazy interconnected web with other people’s little moments that led me to this position in space and time where I type out these words and led you to read them. Why then, do we get anxious? Why do we second guess ourselves with every decision? Am I in the right place? Do I have to change this or that? Where do I go from here?

No matter what we think, say, or do, everything is preordained. Just like the expected certainty of two opposing magnets coming together, or the likelihood of a pair of identical magnets being repelled from one another- it is all part of a master plan. Only we don’t have access to the blueprints. Our lives are being constructed from moment to moment by the Supreme Designer and Most Merciful Creator of all. Once we can accept this and surrender to it all, we can find peace and fulfillment... and be grateful as the pieces come together.

This does not mean that we become apathetic or belittle our free will- we just need to be conscious that regardless of the choices we make, we do not have the final say. And, that we are, always, in the best of hands.