What happens when a magnetic field is used on steel?

When a magnetic field is applied to steel, the response of the material is related to its magnetic properties. Steel is a ferromagnetic material, which means it can be magnetized—that is, it can exhibit magnetic properties under the influence of an external magnetic field.

In this context, when the magnetic field is applied, it does not drain the magnet; rather, the steel itself may become magnetized. The magnetic domains within the steel can realign to follow the direction of the applied magnetic field, which can result in a net magnetic effect that enhances the overall magnetic field. Thus, the arrangement and orientation of the internal domains are influenced—the material becomes magnetized, potentially strengthening the applied magnetic field's effects.

This aligns with the concept of magnetic permeability and hysteresis in ferromagnetic materials, where certain conditions can either maintain or alter magnetism but do not lead to a complete draining or shutting down of the magnetic field. Therefore, a more accurate interpretation is that when a magnetic field is used on steel, it effectively rearranges the internal structure of the material, enhancing its magnetic properties rather than draining them.