Which substance is most likely to be attracted to a magnet?

The most likely substance to be attracted to a magnet is iron. Iron is a ferromagnetic material, which means it exhibits strong magnetic properties, especially when exposed to a magnetic field. When a magnetic field is applied to iron, the magnetic domains within the material align in the direction of the field, resulting in a strong attraction to the magnet.

Ferromagnetic materials like iron are essential for the functioning of various technologies, including electric motors, transformers, and magnetic storage media, because they can retain their magnetization even after the external magnetic field is removed. Other metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and gold are generally considered non-magnetic and do not exhibit this strong attraction to magnets under normal conditions. This distinction clearly categorizes iron as the material most likely to be attracted to a magnet.