Most substances are composed of molecules, which are made up of atoms, and atoms consist of a nucleus and electrons. Within an atom, electrons spin and orbit around the nucleus. Both of these movements generate magnetism. However, in most substances, the directions of electron movements are diverse and chaotic, causing the magnetic effects to cancel each other out. Therefore, most substances do not exhibit magnetism under normal circumstances.

Iron, cobalt, nickel, or ferrite and other ferromagnetic materials differ; their internal electrons can spontaneously align within a small range, forming a spontaneous magnetization region, which is called a magnetic domain.

When ferromagnetic materials are magnetized, the internal magnetic domains align neatly and uniformly, enhancing the magnetic properties, thus forming a magnet. The process of a magnet attracting iron is the process of magnetizing the iron block. The magnetized iron block and the magnet's opposite poles generate an attractive force, causing the iron block to adhere firmly to the magnet. We say the magnet has magnetic properties.