Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Materials are classified based on their behavior in an external magnetic field. The main categories are diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Diamagnetic materials are weakly repelled by a magnetic field. They have a magnetic permeability slightly less than that of a vacuum. Examples include water, copper, and bismuth.
- Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to a magnetic field. They have a magnetic permeability slightly greater than that of a vacuum. Examples include aluminum, platinum, and oxygen.
- Ferromagnetic materials are very strongly attracted to a magnetic field and can be permanently magnetized. They have a very high magnetic permeability. The atoms in these materials have magnetic moments that align in large regions called domains.
Nickel (Ni) is one of the three common elements, along with Iron (Fe) and Cobalt (Co), that exhibit ferromagnetism at room temperature.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Nickel is a ferromagnetic material. Therefore, option (C) is correct.